16 Credits CERT3136, Academic Catalog 2024-2025
Resources
With a growing demand by customers to purchase food produced locally, the Sustainable Microfarming certificate program, includes all operational aspects of a small farm to fork business model. This is a unique opportunity to learn about high tunnel production, alternative agriculture methods and selling the food you produce.
Campus: North Mankato
Program Start Semesters: Fall and Spring
Base estimate for 16 credit program
Tuition is paid on a semester by semester basis and will vary depending on the courses and total credits you take.
Tuition and Fees: $3,285
Tools and Equipment: $ n/a
Total Estimated Cost: $3,285 *
and you'll see that tuition at 色中色 is much more affordable than other institutions.
*Based on 2024-2025 tuition and fees rates. Does not include extra expenses for online delivery, course fees, or course differential. Books, transportation, and living expenses also not included.
The course requirements listed below are specific to the current school year (noted above). If you need to view the program from previous years view our Catalog Archive.
Required Technical Courses (4 Courses )
Complete the following courses:
AGRI1810 Intro to Sustainable Microfarming (1 Credit)
This class is designed for individuals to enter agribusiness careers related to the growing demand by customers to purchase food produced locally. These operations tend to produce, manage, and market agricultural commodities differently than traditional agriculture models but have a tremendous potential in the new consumer marketplace. Students will be involved in all aspects of operation for a small farm to fork business model. Using a high tunnel as the form of production, this course will follow the growth process of vegetables on a local scale. Students will look at the ability to farm on a small scale, focusing on locally grown crops. They will evaluate the market for and ability to maintain production practices within a microfarming practice. (Prerequisite: None)
AGE2600 Title not found (0 Credits)
Description not available
AGBS1100 Agricultural Selling Skills (3 Credits)
This course covers the basic and advanced principles and techniques used in selling agricultural merchandise and services. Agricultural Sales has taken on increased importance in recent years. The introduction of new products and services has magnified the need for technically competent knowledgeable sales personnel. Role-playing and advanced, in-depth sales presentations will be done in class. Students will also be required to make an industry visit and write appropriate letters. (Prerequisites: None)
SGAG1000 Ag Orientation (1 Credit)
Students will become oriented to the careers in agriculture related to the specific filed they plan to enter. Completion of interviews of industry professionals will be required and students will need to write a career plan relating to the path they have been oriented. (Prerequisite: None)
Required Agribusiness Internship (4 Credits )
The internship experience is broken up over three semesters with 2 credits taken during the summer semester.
AGRI2780 Agribusiness Internship (1 - 9 Credits)
This course is a cooperative educational program between the student, faculty and the internship site/business. Students will apply competencies gained from previous coursework into an agribusiness industry workplace. Specific tasks to be completed by the student and will be identified in an individual training plan developed by the student, faculty and internship supervisor. Each training plan is specific to the individual student and business enterprise where the student is employed. (Prerequisite: Instructor Permission)
Elective Credits (5 Credits )
Complete 5 credits from any of these courses
AGRI1850 Employer/Employee Relations (3 Credits)
This course covers the principles of supervision and the factors of supervision as they relate to the goals of the business. Supervision problems with practical solutions will be emphasized. Personnel management techniques including determine personnel needs, finding and recruiting people, performance appraisals, training, promotions, legal issues, stress control and terminations will be included. Students will develop an employment portfolio. (Prerequisites: None)
VITI1111 Introduction to Viticulture and Vineyard (3 Credits)
This course is designed to introduce students to current practices for establishing a commercial vineyard and maintaining its health and productivity once established. Topics covered include varietal selection, site preparation, equipment, site selection, first season establishment, vine growth development and training, trellis systems, vine propagation, weed control and vine disease control. Field practicum sessions consisting of 32 hours of hands-on experience will be scheduled in area vineyards. (Prerequisites: None)
VITI1213 Regional Vineyard Management (2 Credits)
This course is a general survey of vineyard management in the general wine growing regions in the Continental United States. The course covers management of the mature vineyard from region to region and builds on the topics covered prerequisite courses. (Prerequisites: VITI 1111 and one of the following VITI 1113, VITI 1114, VITI 1115)
ANSC1100 Livestock Production Principles (3 Credits)
This course covers animal production history and economic impact, breed development, animal anatomy and physiology, animal product features, gland and hormone functions, growth and lactation physiology, environmental animal production factors, and animal research. Course will focus on disease prevention and the means required to promote productive livestock production. Some time will be spent on analyzing specific diseases, describing symptoms, and treatment. (Prerequisites: None)
ANSC2100 Principles of Animal Nutrition (3 Credits)
This course provides basic information about the fundamentals of nutrition and the essential nutritional requirements of livestock. Units of instruction will include: nutrients and digestion, evaluating feedstuffs, characteristics of feedstuffs, processing techniques of various feeds, feed formulations, commercial feeds and feed additives. This course includes the discussion of the feeding practices of swine, cattle, poultry, and equine. (Prerequisites: None)
PLSC1100 Soils I (3 Credits)
This course has a lecture and a lab component. Areas of study will include the physical properties, chemical properties, biological properties, soil formation, classification, essential nutrient and soil survey. There will be emphasis on soil and water conservation and practices that can be used to reduce soil erosion. Evaluations of soil samples will be conducted in the agribusiness lab and in the field. (Prerequisites: None)
PLSC1105 Forages and Pasture Management (2 Credits)
This course includes the study of the management and production of small grains and forages. Subject areas will include varietal selection, planting, calculating yields, production costs, growth management, harvesting techniques and marketing techniques. The forage management will focus on alfalfa production, emphasis on establishment, winter survival, fertilization, cutting management and variety selection. (Prerequisites: None)
PLSC1200 Soils II (3 Credits)
This course covers both the technical and practical information that should be of assistance to a student who would farm or go into the fertilizer business. The course deals with the basic soil-plant relationships and the effects of fertility. Detailed information on fertilizer materials and the information of test results will also be covered. Students will put into practice many of the cropping practices that are required by someone pursuing a career in the fertilizer and/or chemical field. Students will determine the proper rates and application methods. (Prerequisites: PLSC 1100)
PLSC1400 Agronomy II (3 Credits)
This course considers the characteristics and identification of noxious and common weeds and weed seeds, methods of control, evaluation of herbicide performance and tolerance to herbicides. Topics on herbicide characteristics, formulations and application methods will be taken into account in determining the most economic method of weed control. (Prerequisite: PLSC 1300)
PLEASE NOTE: All program plans are preliminary and curriculum may change without notice. Your catalog of record may have different requirements.
