You are in the official 2000-2001 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.



Department of Agricultural Economics

The College of
Agricultural Sciences and Technology

JOHN R. SHIELDS, Interim Chair
GERI SIMMONS, Administrative Support Coordinator
Leon S. Peters Building, Room 302
(559) 278-2949
FAX: (559) 278-6536

http://cast.csufresno.edu/agecon

B.S. in Agricultural Business

Minor in Agricultural Business

Emphasis in Agricultural Business (Graduate MBA Program)

Faculty

Faculty

John R. Shields, Interim Chair

Herbert O. Mason, Director Center for Agricultural Business

James H. Cothern
John W. Hagen
Dwight D. Minami
Dennis L. Nef
Carl L. Pherson
David K. Smith
R. Lynn Williams

Faculty members are broadly trained with advanced degrees from top ranked universities across the nation, and are highly experienced as teachers, consultants, and researchers. They bring practical insight to the classroom by being professionally active in service to California farms and agribusinesses, industry organizations, government agencies, and professional associations. Forming a strong advisee-adviser relationship with any one of the faculty can help you match your career goals with appropriate coursework.

The Department

Join the leader in science, technology, and management. The award-winning Agricultural Business Program at California State University, Fresno is a pacesetter -- having been recognized in 1985 as a national model by the Agribusiness Education Project, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and comprised of agricultural industry leaders and higher education scholars from around the country.

The agricultural business curriculum is a comprehensive and integrative program of economic principles and business application with a problem-solving orientation and a practical experience emphasis.



Degree Programs

The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business combines core undergraduate courses in agricultural economics (AG EC) with basic business management and agricultural science foundation courses. This undergraduate major allows you to emphasize a career specialty, such as agribusiness management, agricultural finance, agricultural marketing, farm management, and food industry management.

Certified Minor Programs.
A Minor in Agricultural Business is available for students majoring in agricultural sciences, business, and other fields.

Complementary Fields of Study. Agricultural business students wishing to enhance their major with a technical field should consider a minor in such closely allied disciplines as animal science, family and consumer sciences, food and nutritional sciences, and plant science. A supplementary Minor in General Business is available through the Sid Craig School of Business.

Ag One Grants for academic fees and books are available. Call (559) 278-2061 for scholarship information and application.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) has an elective area in agricultural business that combines core graduate courses in agricultural business (AG BS) with core courses from business. This program is administered by the Sid Craig School of Business. It is designed for individuals seeking to advance their career by enhancing their business management and economic analysis skills with an emphasis on agricultural sector applications. Contact the graduate business adviser at (559) 278-2107.



Instructional Facilities

Modern computing facilities are used to teach students computerized farm accounting systems, agricultural enterprise management, agribusiness simulations, commodity trading programs, and to expose them to planning and decision-making aids as part of their professional expertise.

Marketing News Center. Students have access to the Marketing News Center and to a computerized database system through the statewide Advanced Technology Information Network (ATI-NET) established by the school's California Agricultural Technology Institute (CATI).



Center for Agricultural Business (CAB)

Organized to promote the economic efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness of California agriculture, CAB uses faculty expertise and student assistance to address problems and opportunities in farm management, agribusiness finance, commodity marketing, agricultural trade, natural resources, and labor management. Seminars are held periodically on topics of concern to farmers and agribusiness managers. An annual Agribusiness Management Conference is co-sponsored with industry to explore current issues and report the economic outlook of the state's agricultural sector.



Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Agricultural Business Program can choose from more than 150 professional occupations in California's agricultural sector and related industries. Ask your faculty adviser for the agricultural business career opportunities list.



Professional Preparation

Students establish credibility with prospective employers by participating in the following occupationally related activities.


Agricultural Economics Courses

Agricultural Economics Degrees

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