Agribusiness Management by Michigan University

Agribusiness  management is the application of business skills in areas such as marketing, finance, economics and management to the agricultural industry. Students who earn degrees in agribusiness management focus on areas of input supply, agricultural production, commodity assembly and processing, and agricultural marketing.

The agribusiness management program at MSU focuses on the managerial functions performed by organizations throughout the agribusiness sector and provides a systemwide perspective on managerial problems. The major gives students the flexibility to expand on the core areas of study by choosing courses related to their individual interests in farm management, commodity procurement and marketing, labor and personnel management, public policy and global food issues.

Faculty members and advisors associated with the program maintain close relationships with agribusiness companies. Those relationships benefit students seeking information about internships, scholarships and employment in the field.

Students may gain practical industry experience by completing a professional internship in agribusiness management. This supervised professional experience is a great way for students to apply what they learned in the classroom to real-world agri-food systems.

Core areas of study

Agri-food systemsCommodity and food product marketingAgribusiness and food industry salesMicro- and macroeconomicsSupply chain management

Supporting discipline areas

Farm managementFinancial management in the agri-food systemCorporate environmental managementFinance and statistics

Career opportunities

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that many more agribusiness positions are available than there are qualified people to fill them. The shortage will be greatest for managers, financial specialists and marekting/sales representatives – the careers on which our program focuses – in these areeas:

Financial analysisAgricultural input supplyAgricultural production/farming operationsCommodity processing and assemblyAgricultural marketing/advertisingPublic relationsAgricultural sales