If you want to take agriculture courses, the best ones to take will depend on the type of farming you want to do. Some may be better suited to raising livestock, while others may be better suited to growing crops. If you own a small or hobfarm, you may want to enroll in agriculture classes that are held on a real farm so that you can get plenty of hands-on experience. If you want to pursue a career in agriculture, formal college classes that also cover the business and marketing aspects of the industry may be beneficial.
People who own small or large farms will benefit from agriculture courses. Some may teach you how to operate farm machinery, which will come in handy whether you’re raising livestock or planting crops. Many agriculture training programs are geared toward organic farming, and you can learn techniques for raising specific animals or crops. You might want to learn about container gardening or caring for small animals like chickens or sheep if you’re primarily an urban farmer.
The agriculture courses you choose may be influenced your level of experience. If you’ve worked in agriculture for a while, you might be familiar with the basics of crop rotation and pest control, but not with animal husbandry or basic veterinary care. When making a decision, you may also want to see if there are any new methods for fertilizing the soil or harvesting crops.
You can get ready for a variety of agriculture jobs, including those in research and development, with the right training. If you want to work in agriculture, you should enroll in college courses that lead to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Crop science and farm machinery mechanics are two classes you may need to take. When looking for agriculture courses like these, check to see if they are held in the field so you can put what you’ve learned into practice.
You might want to run your own farm for a living, in which case you’ll need to learn about the business side of things. Marketing, accounting, and employee management are some of the topics you might want to research. Whether you choose to take these courses at a business college or an agricultural school, mastering these subjects is a good idea. An added benefit is that many of these classes are available online, allowing you to devote more time to your farm while you study.