Agriculture
About the program
Ferrum College is the only private college in Virginia that offers a four-year degree in Agriculture and teacher licensure in Vocational Agriculture. The Agriculture program provides students a diverse four-year curriculum and the opportunity for practical experience. The curriculum stresses the theory and practice of Agriculture, while also emphasizing the importance of environmental, economic, and business knowledge. The emphasis areas of General Agriculture, Agribusiness, and Agroecology allow the student to concentrate their study in Animal or Plant Science, Production Agriculture, Agricultural Business, or Agricultural Environmental Science. Teaching includes numerous hands-on experiences, developing practical skills in students. This broad approach to Agriculture, combined with the strong liberal arts base, prepares graduates for a wide range of career opportunities.
Coursework in Agriculture
The curriculum incorporates a variety of topics to prepare students for opportunities in the field of Agriculture, and includes courses such as:
- Introduction to Animal Science
- Field & Forage Crop Production
- Farm Business Management
- Livestock Evaluation and Judging
- Soil Science and Management
- Computer Applications in Agriculture
- Introduction to Plant Science
- Animal Diseases
- Principles of Animal Production
- Introduction to Horticulture
- Fitting and Showing
- Animal and Plant Breeding and Genetics
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Related Clubs
There are over 50 clubs and organizations available to students at Ferrum College. These are specifically related to Agriculture:
Agriculture Club: Open to all majors, a Collegiate Young Farmers club affiliated with the Virginia Farm Bureau, one of the most active clubs on campus, sells plants grown in a campus greenhouse, assists with the annual Folklife Festival, and is active in community service, including working for local farmers. Delta Tau Alpha: Agriculture Honor Society recognizes high standards of scholarship, leadership, and character among Agricultural students.
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Experiential & Hands-On Learning Opportunities
Independent Research: Students actively explore an area of interest by working one-on-one with a professor. For example:
- Ken Bradshaw '04 worked with Dr. George Byrd researching pesticide resistance in corn ear-worm. Ken is currently a graduate student in the Department of Agronomy, The University of Georgia.
- Derek Ritenour '06 worked with Dr. Daryl Nash researching the impact of participation in Agriculture courses on high school students’ performance on high stakes tests, such as the Virginia Standards of Learning exams. Derek is currently employed as a Vocational Agriculture teacher by the Frederick County Public School District.
Internships: Internships are required in this major in order to further the “hands-on” facet of the learning experience by placing students in situations of responsibility and creativity. Some past internships include:
- Southern States Cooperative
- Natural Resource Conservation Service
- Tidewater Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Suffolk, Virginia
- United States Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection Quarantine
- Tri-County Soil and Water Conservation District
- Pilgrim's Pride
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What can I be with a major in Agriculture?
A major in Agriculture leads to traditional career paths, as well as less expected fields. For example:
- You could be a(n) ...
- Soil Conservationist
- Vocational Agriculture Teacher
- Extension Agent
- Farmer/Farm Manager
- Quality Assurance Supervisor, Goldkist
- Peace Corps/VISTA
- Sales Representative
- Agricultural Scientist
- Commercial Loan Officer
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Recent Agriculture graduates and their careers
Ferrum graduates credit their program of study for landing jobs or other opportunities in their fields.
Joey Cornwell: Agricultural Loan Officer, Farm Credit of the Virginia Cooperative.
Sam Goin: Manager, Southern States.
Dr. Kevin Bradley: Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy, University of Missouri.
Robin Albright Kavanaugh: Manager, Animal Resources, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, University of Georgia.
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Agriculture Faculty
For Inquiries regarding the Program Coordinator of the Agriculture Program, please contact Dr. Jason Powell, jpowell@ferrum.edu, Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Professor of Biology and Horticulture
Ph.D., University of Georgia
(540) 365-4367
bpohlad@ferrum.edu
Kristin Robertson
Instructor of Animal Science
Masters Degrees; Iowa State University & Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
(540) 365-6948
krobertson@ferrum.edu
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Faculty & Staff: Click here to submit your profile.
Find out more
Professors are always available for questions. Contact them via email:
Professor Kristin Robertson at krobertson@ferrum.edu.
Professor Bob Pohlad at bpohlad@ferrum.edu.
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