Ag Business Management

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Program Overview

The Ag Business Management program allows you to learn about all aspects of agriculture, including:

Agronomy/crop production
Precision agriculture
Farm management
Business
Animal production

Learn from instructors who bring real-world experience from their education, everyday farming, and professional lives.

Hands-On Learning Opportunities

Hawkeye’s 225-acre Farm Lab: Learn farm management, animal production, and crop production skills.
Precision Technology: Use the latest farm equipment and technology, including global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), and unmanned aerial vehicles in crop production and land management.
Field Trips: Visit various size farming operations and seed plant production facilities to learn how your skills and knowledge can be applied in a variety of work environments.
Conferences and Workshops: Expand your knowledge and leadership skills at the Postsecondary Agricultural Student (PAS) Conference, World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogue Symposium, Agribusiness Association of Iowa Showcase, and the Iowa State University Crops Clinics.
Employment Experience: Gain 320 hours of real-world work experience ensuring you have the skills you need to succeed in your future career.

Transfer Information

Articulation agreements allow you to transfer your Ag Business Management coursework to Northwest Missouri State University and to the Agricultural Studies, Agricultural Business, and Agronomy programs at Iowa State University. Hawkeye also has transfer relationships with South Dakota State University, University of Wisconsin–Platteville, Upper Iowa University, and Morningside College.

If you plan to transfer, work closely with a program advisor to ensure courses transfer and you meet program requirements.

At A Glance
Awards	Associate of Applied Science Certificate Diploma
Length of Study	1 – 2 years
Program Start	Fall, Spring, Summer

Faculty Spotlight

Brian Zuck

I have essentially been involved in Agriculture/Farming my entire life. I am the fifth generation actively farming on our family farm near Jesup Iowa and was active in both 4-H and FFA.

I am a proud alumni graduating from Hawkeye Community College earning both an Agriculture Business degree as well as a Liberal Arts degree. I continued my education at Northwest Missouri State University graduating with high honors with a degree in Management from the Melvin D. and Valorie G. Booth School of Business.

My advice for students is to pursue your passion, do something you enjoy, and never stop learning and trying to improve yourself in all areas of life.

See Brian Zuck's full bio.

Program Spotlight

The Ag Business Management program allows you to learn about all aspects of agriculture. Hear from Ag Business Management instructors and students about what you'll learn and experience as a student in this program.

Continuing a family tradition in agriculture: Featuring Kylie Reichmann

Kylie has lived on a farm her entire life and knew from a young age she wanted to continue on her family farming tradition. She found her place at Hawkeye in the Ag Business program, where she is learning new technologies to bring back to the family operation.

Graduate Spotlight:
Reece Sowell

For Reece Sowell, agriculture is a family affair. His grandparents own a cattle and goat ranch in Texas, and Reece grew up visiting them and learning about farming.

His college journey began in Illinois, playing baseball and studying welding at a community college. When COVID and a shoulder injury derailed his plans, he took a moment to reflect on what he really wanted out of a career. That decision brought him to Hawkeye's Ag Business Management program.

"I kind of went in here with a clean slate," he said. "I fell in love with it."

Through hands-on experiences on Hawkeye's farm and a real-world internship, Reece gained valuable experience in precision agriculture — experience that will serve him well in his career, which will see him return to his roots.

"I'm actually going down to Texas and working at a winery," he said. "I'm going to be working with the grapes and then making wine."

Graduate Spotlight:
Pedro Marques

As a kid growing up in Goiania, Brazil, Pedro Marques dreamed of being a farmer.

"Through farming we can feed the world," he said.

He enrolled in an agronomy program at a local university, and was midway through his studies when a professor told him about a unique relationship the school had with a community college in Iowa. Before long, Pedro was on a plane, heading for Hawkeye Community College.

"My goal and my mission by coming to the United States is to acquire knowledge and bring back to Brazil to help to build a society that fights hunger," he said. "Because of Hawkeye, I've been able to have hope to build a better future."

A hands-on education in Ag Business leads to a fulfilling career: Featuring Danny Dillon

Growing up on a farm near Sumner, agriculture has always been a central part of Danny Dillon's life.

"That was kind of everything that I ever knew; that's what I enjoy," he said. "It's my hobby and I want it to be my job."

Danny's father encouraged him to enroll in the Ag Business Management program, where he experienced a blend of classroom instruction, hands-on learning, and real-world experience through an internship. Now graduating, he's ready to join his dad's Pioneer seed dealership.

"I'm glad I went to a two-year school because it just feels right, and the amount of knowledge I've gained feels like it lines right up with where I'm going to be," he said. "I'm so excited."

Getting Hands-On in Hawkeye's Ag Business program: Featuring Jon Sorenson

Jon Sorenson grew up on a farm outside Waverly. When it came time to decide on college, Hawkeye's Ag Business Management program just made sense.

"I think with all of the other technological advances in agriculture, there's going to be a lot more want and need for younger generations in farming," he said.

Taking classes at Hawkeye allowed Jon to continue to work on the family farm, where he was able to put into practice what he was learning on campus and at Hawkeye's Farm Lab.

"I'm a hands-on learner," he said. "I like to go out to the farm, do stuff with the equipment or animals, and then be able to talk to someone face-to-face about it."

Program Pathways

Precision Agriculture Certificate

Program Details

Award	Certificate
Credits	15
Program Start	Fall, Spring, Summer
Number of Terms	3
Time to Complete	1 year
Admissions Application	Select Academic Program: Ag Business Management – AAS See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Program Courses

Term 1

Principles of Agronomy

Term 2

Fundamentals of GIS
Fundamentals of Soil Science

Term 3

Advanced Precision Farming: Hardware
Precision Farming Systems

Next step: Continue to the General Agriculture diploma program or graduate and enter the workforce.

General Agriculture Diploma

Program Details

Award	Diploma
Credits	36
Program Start	Fall, Spring, Summer
Number of Terms	2
Time to Complete	1 year
Admissions Application	Select Academic Program: Ag Business Management – AAS See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Program Courses

Term 1

Ag Computers
Introduction to Computers

Information Computing
Applied Math
Principles of Agronomy
Survey of the Animal Industry

Term 2

Animal Nutrition
Equine Science

Domestic Animal Physiology

Swine Science

Beef Cattle Science

Foods of Animal Origin

Livestock Evaluation
Fundamentals of GIS
Agriculture Leadership

Precision Farming Systems

Foundations of GIS and GPS

Advanced Precision Farming: Hardware
Fundamentals of Oral Communication
Fundamentals of Soil Science
Human and Work Relations
Integrated Pest Management

General Agriculture Electives

Cash Grains
Environmental Conservation
Environmental Science
General Biology I
General Biology II
General Chemistry I
Introduction to General Chemistry
Introductory Biology

Next step: Continue to terms 3 and 4 of the Ag Business Management Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program or graduate and enter the workforce.