Agribusiness

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Agribusiness offers substantial career opportunities, with one in four jobs in Nebraska and one in five nationwide spanning farm management, lending, renewable resources, finance and sales. As global demand for food, fiber and energy grows, agribusiness majors acquire skills to tackle industry challenges—from farm to fork—like decision-making, management and strategy. Discover opportunities to connect with agribusiness leaders and tailor your education to your career interests.

The Nebraska Difference

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Explore production and non-production areas of agribusiness

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Learn with state-of-the-art tech in the trading room and commodity marketing lab

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Free 1-to-1 tutoring, academic advising and career coaching

Two Pathways For Agribusiness

Each pathway prepares you for your future career and offers the ability to take courses from both colleges. When choosing a college, think about your other interests, general requirements of the college and available scholarships. View the four-year plans or meet with an academic advisor to see which option is best for you.
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Program Features

First Joint Agribusiness Program

The first of its kind in the U.S., the joint agribusiness program blends the technical competence of modern agricultural and food systems with the decision-making framework of business. As an agribusiness major, you’ll take courses from both the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and the College of Business. 

Customize Your Academic Experience 

Flexibility provided by elective course blocks gives you an opportunity to add one or two minors to your agribusiness major. Minors help you customize your academic programs to your unique interests and career goals.

Faculty as Experts and Mentors

Our faculty teach, conduct research and participate in extension outreach. Some even run companies. They understand real-world issues and bring vital industry knowledge to the classroom every day. 

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Notable Courses

To earn your bachelor’s degree in agribusiness through the College of Business, you will take 120 credit hours of courses, equating to four or five courses per semester, on average.
Plant Science (PLAS 131)

Study plant biology for food, fuel and fiber production. Explore ecosystems, water, nutrients and carbon assimilation in variable environments.

Farm and Ranch Management (AECN 201)

Learn economic principles and business concepts for farming and ranching. Topics include budgets, enterprise analysis, leasing and pasture management.

Agribusiness Entrepreneurship in Food Products Marketing (AECN 225/MRKT 225)

Explore marketing strategies in the food systems channel, from producers to consumers. Create a strategic marketing plan for a new food product.

Operations in Supply Chain Management (SCMA 331)

Discover analytical management techniques for demand, acquisition and resource transformation in various organizations, including private and public enterprises, service and manufacturing.

Managing Behavior in Organizations (MNGT 360)

Examine the many factors that affect organizational behavior, such as employee engagement, communication and decision-making. Explore the role they play in the management of work.

Introduction to Commodity Marketing (AECN 235 /MRKT 235)

Explore how commodity markets were created, how commodities are traded from producers to final consumers and the role of transportation and storage.

Huskers Do Big Things

Internships

  • Grain merchandising intern, Archer Daniels Midland
  • Global irrigation product support specialist, Lindsay Company
  • Agronomy/crop scout intern, Cargill AgHorizons
  • Bank management intern, First National Bank
  • Retail credit underwriting, Farm Credit Services of America
  • Beef sales, Great Plains Beef

Careers

  • Commodity merchandiser, ADM
  • Management associate, Cargill Animal Nutrition
  • Crop consultant, Central Valley Ag
  • Assistant coordinator for U.S. Agriculture, Howard G. Buffett Foundation
  • Grain merchandiser, Gavilon
  • Seed technician, Monsanto

Graduate Schools

  • Master of Business Administration, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • Juris Doctor, University of South Dakota
  • Law, University of Nebraska College of Law
  • M.S. Agricultural Economics, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • M.S. Professional Accountancy, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
  • M.S. Leadership Education, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Outside the Classroom

Get the most out of your collegiate experience by taking advantage of opportunities to get involved. Challenge yourself and make meaningful connections along the way.

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Academics & Experiential Learning

  • Collaborate on real-world projects for companies or clients.
  • Learn to make better business decisions by analyzing data using the latest technology available in the Commodity Marketing Lab and Trading Room.
  • Explore specialized areas of agriculture through coursework that enables you to manage livestock, analyze food properties or work in greenhouses and fields.
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Career Preparedness

  • Apply analytical skills to real-world problems.
  • Make and evaluate business decisions to ensure profitability, efficiency and customer satisfaction.
  • Assist rural business owners and community leaders to enhance local resources as a fellow through Rural Prosperity Nebraska.
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Community

  • Live with others who share your career interests in the Ag Futures, Business Leaders or Business Opportunities Learning Communities.
  • Join business student organizations, like the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), AgEcon/Agribusiness Club, American Marketing Association (AMA), Commodity Marketing Club or StartupsUNL.

Have Questions? We're Here to Help

If you have questions about the Agribusiness major or navigating the application process, contact us.

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Kendra Ritchie
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College of Business
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Sue Ellen Pegg
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College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
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