The option is designed for students who wish to have careers in agriculture but do not intend to go into farming or ranching. The farm and ranch management option is designed for those who plan to be active in production agriculture as farm or ranch operators or managers. The option provides management training in areas such as finance, market analysis, enterprise planning and evaluation, and decision making. Students in this option often minor in one of the production agriculture areas to develop expertise in animal or plant sciences. International ag econ students take a wide variety of courses to help them better understand other cultures and ways of life, and advisors encourage a foreign language minor.
Class sizes are generally small, so students receive a great deal of personal attention.
Each student has both a faculty mentor and an advisor to assist them through their college experience.