Applied Agriculture and Food Studies

 
 
 

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CULTIVATE YOUR FUTURE IN AG

Morningside’s location in Sioux City and the tri-state region places us in the heart of one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. Both our Siouxland location and the number of businesses in the area with ties to agriculture have made the Morningside University Regina Roth Agricultural and Food Studies department a critical regional resource. The Applied Food and Studies program is designed to give you a broad understanding of how agriculture and food production work preparing you for success after you graduate. Paired with a relevant minor, you can gain a more focused degree, preparing them for careers of entrepreneurial endeavors in the agricultural industry.

Degrees

Agricultural and Food Studies (B.A.)

Major

Agricultural Teaching Education (B.S. )

Major

Applied Agricultural and Food Studies (B.S.)

Major

Agribusiness

Minor

Agricultural Communication

Minor

Agricultural Studies

Minor

Agronomy

Minor

Environmental Policy/Law

Minor

Food Safety

Minor

A Great Fit For

  • Those wishing to develop a broad understanding of the agriculture industry with access to unique opportunities in Sioux City, the state of Iowa, and beyond.
  •  Preparing you for a wide range of career and entrepreneurial opportunities.
  • Gaining real-world experiences through interaction with business and industry professionals, clubs and organizations, travel opportunities, externships, and more.
  • Developing leadership skills through co-curricular activities and research opportunities.
  • Enjoying the opportunities and advantages of being a student at a small private college that allows you to immerse yourself in your education and get involved in unique experiences more quickly.

THE MORNINGSIDE DIFFERENCE

Hands on Learning Environment

You'll have access to our 3,300 square-foot state-of-the-art greenhouse, the 76-acre Lags Learning Farm, campus garden, Cargill Outdoor Classroom and more to give you hands on experience outside the classroom preparing you for success.

Externship Program

Our externship program allows you to participate in a paid, semester-long externship in Sioux City, greater Iowa or beyond and work side-by-side with management and production teams doing real agriculture in the real world.

Career Opportunities

Morningside graduates of the agriculture and food studies program have gone into careers at Tyson Foods, Palmer Candy Company, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Credit Administration, regional cooperatives, and more.

FEATURED COURSES

REQUIRED

This entry-level agri-business course will provide a broad look at “getting things done” in an agricultural business context. Students will develop philosophies and skills for ethical decision-making. Students will begin to develop skills needed in the modern agribusiness context including confrontation, ethical resilience, and leadership. Corporate social responsibility, agribusiness fundamentals and agribusiness protocol will be integrated throughout the course.

REQUIRED

This course introduces the basics of agricultural production systems management, as well as identifying and describing external factors that influence these systems. System design, function, impact and technology integration are studied through SWOT analyses of real-world Agriculture systems.

REQUIRED

Students will work in a field of their choice for a semester receiving on-the-job training shadowing professionals to learn more about the field.

REQUIRED

This course provides an introduction to the micro- and macro-economic principles of agricultural and food markets, with an emphasis placed on the factors affecting supply and demand for food and fiber, the costs associated with agricultural inputs, farm and retail price behavior, and overall structures of agricultural markets. The course will discuss agribusiness niches in relationship to multiple sectors of the U.S. and international economy from various perspectives.

MAKE IT YOUR OWN

The Applied Agriculture and Food Studies degree program provides students with a strong core background in agriculture and is designed to be paired with one or more agricultural minors to provide an in-depth focus for a student’s given area of interest.

LEARN BY DOING

REGINA ROTH APPLIED AG & FOOD STUDIES

As a Regina Roth Agricultural and Food Studies student, you’ll learn how different agricultural production and business systems affect crop yields, and agribusiness farm profitability, soil health, and models of long-term sustainability.  You’ll also have access to our state-of-the-art facilities giving you hands-on experience for the real world.

Related Majors & Minors

Still looking for the right fit? Check out some additional program options that we think might interest you or are often paired with this program. You can also view the programs page to keep exploring your options

WHY STUDY AT MORNINGSIDE?

13:1

student/faculty ratio so you’re assured a quality education focused on you

99%

employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation

65+

majors & pre-professional programs available

MEET THE FACULTY

Thomas Paulsen Professor & Dean of Agriculture and Aviation Applied Agriculture & Food Studies

Thomas Paulsen

Professor & Dean of Agriculture and Aviation

Thomas’s Profile

Annie Kinwa-Muzinga

Professor & Department Head

Annie’s Profile
Keren Brooks

Keren Brooks

Assistant Professor

Morningside is full of students, faculty, and staff who seek, not only a great educational experience, but also to build and sustain communities. It is exciting, rewarding, and encouraging to work in an environment that is dedicated to uplifting others.

Keren’s Profile
Deanne McKenna Experiential Learning Coordinator Applied Agriculture & Food Studies

Deanne McKenna

Experiential Learning Coordinator

Deanne’s Profile
Melissa Nelson Internship/Externship Coordinator Applied Agriculture & Food Studies

Melissa Nelson

Internship/Externship Coordinator

Morningside feels like home to me. I know that sounds cliche, but it truly does. As a rural, small town kid, I love the sense of community that is felt through every aspect of work and life at Morningside University. I love getting to know my students and helping them on their path to a career that they will love and succeed in.

Melissa’s Profile
Daniel Witten

Daniel Witten

Associate Professor

I love working in the close knit environment that Mside provides. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and make connections.

Daniel’s Profile

Jakob Jerabek

Greenhouse Manager

Jakob’s Profile

Next Steps

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Financial Aid

Financial aid is available. Learn how you can qualify.

Apply Now

Take the next step towards building your future.

Contact Us

Our admissions team is eager to answer your questions about this program and how to apply.

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