American agriculture is a major force in the global economy.
Its keystone is food and fiber production and distribution. Nearly one in every five jobs in the U.S. is in the food and fiber system. But fewer than three percent of the people involved in the agricultural industries actually work on the farm the rest work in some form of agribusiness or government agency. Agricultural economics prepares graduates for leadership and management roles throughout the agriculture and food system. Agricultural economics applies business and economic principles to the special needs of the agricultural and food industries.