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In the fall of 2022, the first cohort of Agriculture Entrepreneurship students will begin their studies at Eastern Oregon University.
The one-of-a-kind undergraduate degree program will equip the next generation of food producers to find success across this essential industry. Modern farmers and ranchers need to be knowledgeable about environmental policy, water quality, price analysis, demand forecasts and production margins in order to be successful.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Agriculture Entrepreneurship Chad Mueller explained how the new program fills gaps left by more traditional academia, where agricultural science and agribusiness are typically separate degrees.
“The reality is that in ag you need to have both the business know-how and fundamental science background,” he said. “It’s unique that we’re balancing both science and business in this curriculum, and we anticipate developing much more balanced professionals.”
The program includes courses on marketing, finance and human resources, as well as biology, chemistry and intensive agriculture management. Leadership and experiential learning flow through both areas, Mueller said.
“The reality is that in ag you need to have both the business know-how and fundamental science background”– Chad Mueller
“The reality is that in ag you need to have both the business know-how and fundamental science background”
“They have to put everything they learned into play,” he said. “We expect active participation from these students as they build communication, planning and decision-making skills. They’ll be engaging with peers and industry professionals at the nexus of business, science and leadership.”
Field-based courses and projects will allow students to identify a problem, propose solutions, and work toward enacting them alongside peers and industry leaders. They’ll also engage with industry experts and get input from relevant organizations or government agencies.
Designed for flexibility, coursework can be completed on-campus or remotely. Particularly for students from agricultural areas or backgrounds, their location or existing responsibilities can be a barrier to obtaining their degree. The program’s hybrid model takes this into account, and allows students to continue academic progress regard less of their location.
It’s also an ideal complement to many community college agriculture programs, providing transfer students a clear pathway to a bachelor’s degree.
Agriculture is one of the largest employers in the country, and central to many of the rural communities EOU serves. Mueller said this degree provides graduates with the tools to reinvigorate and sustain the small towns they hold dear.
“This degree creates a way for the next generation to recognize how to build a livelihood as well as a lifestyle,” Mueller said. “A livelihood is what allows people to retire, allows the next generation to go to college, and it’s how agriculture becomes a social and economic driver for communities.”
Additional degree programs launch this year at EOU.
This online and on-campus program offers hands-on coursework that covers a wide range of specializations within the marketing industry. Faculty bring firsthand experience as experts, and the curriculum is designed to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in this fast-moving field.
Students who want to tailor their computer science degree to the evolving field of data analytics can earn their degree online or on-campus. With a focus on practical application, this program promises to equip the next generation of tech leaders.
Special education teachers are in high demand across the country, but particularly in rural places like Eastern Oregon. With that in mind, this program delivers a series of practicum experiences that qualify students to graduate with state licensure and immediately enter the classrooms where they are so needed.
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