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Agriculture
Program Description
The Agriculture Department offers a wide array of courses that reflect agricultural production in the desert southwest, from plant science, pest management, and soils to animal science, turfgrass management, and plant propagation.
The department is continuing to work with research specialists, industry leaders, and university academia to develop advanced courses and degrees that meet the needs of the community and industry.
Graduates of the agriculture programs or certificates will learn a wide range of skills and gain industry specific experience in:
- Demonstrating the skills required in diagnosing farm business problems.
- Analyzing new and innovative production techniques.
- Identifying and solving some of the problems facing production and distribution.
- Correlating soil properties with plant growth and making recommendations regarding nutrient availability, crop water requirements, and basic soil management.
- Demonstrating necessary skills and knowledge to control common agricultural pests effectively.
- Describing the complexities and functions of pollination, fertilization, and embryo development.
- Describing the critical conditions that can lead to the growth of food-borne pathogens.
- Demonstrating an understanding of manufacturing practices and evaluating facility and inventory practices for food safety risks.
- Writing, evaluating, and revising when needed effective standard operating procedures.
Have questions about this program?
Schedule NowDegree(s) / Certificates(s)
This icon indicates a degree that can lead to a locally obtained Bachelor’s Degree.
Career Outlook
Successful completion of the drafting program or certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations and annual median wages*.
| Pest Control Advisor Works with local farmers and growers to advise them on pest issues in production agriculture. |
$60,402 |
| Food Science and Safety Technician Work with food safety specialists perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine proper food safety standards |
$41,230 |
| Agricultural Manager Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, nurseries, or other agricultural establishments. |
$71,160 |
| Farm and Ranch Worker Attend to live farm, ranch, open range animals that may include cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses and other equines, poultry, rabbits, finfish, shellfish, and bees. |
$27,830 |
Classroom/Lab Tour
Do you enjoy hands-on learning? Take a walk through our Agriculture Land Lab Classroom located on the campus Ag Land Lab. Students have the ability to be in the classroom one minute, and on “the farm” the next!
In addition to 8 acres of land, Arizona Western College’s Ag Dept. has a 3-bay automated greenhouse which is used for class labs and independent study projects! Take a look around and imagine yourself with AWC Ag!
Program Photos
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Contact Information
Faculty/Staff Contact(s)
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Knudson | Administrative Assistant IV | (928) 317-7107 | Tracy.Knudson@azwestern.edu |
| Sarah Berner | Professor of Agriculture | (928) 344-7562 | sarah.berner@azwestern.edu |
| Tosha Gillispie | Director of Agriculture Programs | (928) 317-6203 | Tosha.Gillispie@azwestern.edu |