Agricultural Systems Management Options & Careers 

ASM applies engineering technology and the management of physical and biological systems to growing food and the handling and processing of ag products while maintaining environmental quality. Our graduates manage people, money, and machines. They find ways to blend biological, physical, mechanical, and business knowledge to make agri-production and agri-processing more efficient and profitable.

Check out these Ag Systems Management Options

Agricultural Production Management Option

 Why study agricultural production management?

 Do you realize there is a way to fuel your diesel rig that does not require the use of fossil fuels?

 Are you interested in managing a large scale agricultural enterprise?

 Are you interested in sales of farm equipment or compounds?

 Can you see yourself managing people, businesses, and processes in agriculture?

 The agricultural production management option is a traditional program in agricultural systems management. This option provides you with a background in systems technology, agricultural equipment, engines and power units, agricultural processing, and soil and water principles based on understanding of basic and applied sciences such as chemistry, biology, and physics.

 Program strengths/highlights

You will learn to apply biological, physical, mechanical, and business knowledge to support and manage agricultural production systems, product processing systems, and related industries. You will study basic and applied sciences such as chemistry, biology, and physics while taking into account the economic and social impacts of technical solutions. Classes emphasize useful applications of technical knowledge, business management, and communication skills.

Career opportunities

Agriculture, the largest and most diversified industry in the U.S., requires the application of the latest electronic, computer, and engineering technologies. It needs qualified individuals to apply current and emerging technologies and sound business management practices. This option prepares you for careers with agricultural industries or as a farm manager or operator. 

  • Agricultural equipment industries—Provide technical training, service, sales, and financing for agricultural equipment. 
     

  • Farm or private consultant—Be a company representative assisting operators with crop production, equipment operation, and farm management decisions. 
     

  • Electrical power industries—Install electrical equipment and promote the safe, efficient use of electricity and electrical equipment on the farm. 
     

  • Grain handling companies—Operate and manage elevators and grain shipping and handling facilities for local or international trade. 
     

  • Agricultural chemical firms—Maintain, construct, and calibrate application equipment and be involved with field application, plant management, and technical sales.
     

  • Food products companies—Manage production, transport, quality control, and sales of fresh and processed foods.
     

  • Banks, farm management firms, insurance companies—Be a technical adviser, consultant, or field operations manager for various large-scale agri-businesses.
     

  • Farming—Operate family or corporate farms that are diversified or specialized in crops and/or livestock.
     

  • Farm building manufacturers and retailers—Plan and supervise the installation of farm buildings, drying and storage facilities, heating and ventilation systems, feed handling equipment, and other types of components used in farm building construction.

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Agricultural Machine Systems Option 

Why study agricultural machine systems? 

Would you like to test equipment that is powerful enough to move a 747?

Would you like to be involved in the introduction of new harvesting machines?

Are you interested in incorporating technical skills in machinery applications?

Do you like to troubleshoot equipment and solve mechanical problems?

 The agricultural machine systems option allows you to build on the agricultural machinery and equipment portion of the general curriculum with more emphasis in technical courses related to equipment operation and testing. The curriculum provides a strong background in mathematics, basic sciences, and ASM courses, but then allows specialization in such areas as precision agriculture, agricultural safety and health, engineering materials, and fundamental thermal and fluid principles. 

Program strengths/highlights

The agricultural machine option allows you to delve into the technical details of equipment operation and testing. You will receive a strong background in mathematics, basic sciences, and agriculture, and hands-on experience in agricultural technology and training in the mechanization and management aspects of agricultural systems. 

Career opportunities

Students taking the agricultural machine option are prepared to work directly in agricultural equipment related businesses such as serving as a technical representative.

They also might manage equipment systems or participate in sales or testing of agriculturally related machinery.

  • Test technician—Apply your engineering and computer skills to test commercial and farm machinery such as a new tractor, combine, or cultivator.
     

  • Precision ag technician—Uses the latest technologies to update and service users of farm machinery equipment.
     

  • Technical sales or management of various agricultural businesses such as production, chemicals, or equipment used in precision agriculture. These individuals also demonstrate proper usage of equipment and parts for farm applications.
     

  • Farm store customer representative—This person matches the right equipment for the intended operation, such as appropriate use of precision ag technology to maximize the benefit of the current practices for a customer’s needs.
     

  • Consulting—Travel the country and globe doing one-on-one consulting on the best kind of mechanical components available on farming equipment, such as the right transmission and hydraulic option for the intended field operation.
     

  • Safety officer—Large farming operations have many employees and a lot of turnover. Farm workers need to know how to do their jobs without causing damage to themselves and the equipment they are operating. They must be up-to-date on state and federal labor and safety regulations regarding operation of equipment.  The safety officer provides training for new employees and safety materials in the appropriate language.

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Agricultural Information Systems Option

Why study agricultural information systems?

Did you know you can turn on an irrigation system in a field 50 miles away from the comfort of your living room?

Do you realize that your computer game wizardry can apply to agriculture?

Can your business and mechanical interests apply to growing plants and animals?

Remember playing with trucks and other mechanical things? Our machines are bigger…and you get paid to play with newer and cooler ones!

The agricultural information systems option prepares you to apply biological, physical, and business knowledge to the computing and management problems in agricultural production, service, marketing, and other rural activities. You may have careers with commercial agricultural and natural resource-oriented businesses, banks and financial centers, educational institutions, and public agencies. 

Program strengths/highlights

You will learn about finances, economics, physics, shop practices, power units, modeling water and irrigation systems, and global information systems (GIS). Classes will teach you computer applications, agricultural economics, and business principles.

You will receive hands-on experience in agricultural technology and learn management aspects of agri-systems 

Career opportunities

Positions filled by ASM graduates are those that bridge the gap between engineers and the users of engineered systems.

  • Precision ag technology—Apply your computer knowledge to research and analysis of agricultural systems such as irrigation management, testing of fertilizer flow instruments, and evaluation of water systems.
     

  • Agri-industry customer service representative—You would be ready to ask the right questions in order to learn about the consumer’s operation and match the latest farming products and agricultural production systems that meet the customer’s needs.
     

  • Farm Service Agency and USDA—As a trained professional, this career would interact with other researchers and specialists who help establish technical systems such as GIS used by the agricultural community to better assess and evaluate government-sponsored programs.
     

  •  Consultant—The ASM degree in agricultural information systems option would help you advise the consumer to better apply and manage computers and software programs that benefit agricultural operations, such as monitoring irrigation systems or checking on the electronics in a potato storage

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Water & Waste Management Systems Option

Why study water and waste management systems?

Do you know the difference among toxic, grey, potable, lentic, or acidic water?

Which one can you drink?

Are you interested in being involved with solving problems with waste generation from agricultural production?

Would you like to manage irrigation or processing plant water systems?

The water and waste management systems option is designed to give you a rounded background in biological, physical, and business areas. This background would include water system and irrigation management, water conveyance, processing waste from streams, odor control, and other agricultural environmental issues.

Program strengths/highlights

You will develop a strong background in ASM, business, economics, and basic and applied sciences in addition to “know-how” in the operation of water and waste systems.

You will learn to use and manage equipment and systems based on an understanding of their design and operation. You will get hands-on experience in agricultural technology and practical training in cutting edge aspects of agricultural systems.

Career opportunities

Students are prepared for a variety of careers in agricultural and environmental related fields. Examples include commercial agricultural operations, natural resource-oriented businesses, water master, manager for an irrigation district or canal companies, educational institutions, and local, state, and federal agencies.

Other careers include:

  • Dairy waste consultant—This specialist works in a processing plant and advises on the management of the huge volume of generated waste. Knowledge of the latest regulations, pump maintenance, repair and replacement of equipment, and calculating efficient systems to handle waste volume are among the required skills.
     

  • Water managers—They consult with engineers on the design of appropriate water systems to process effluent from large-scale animal and plant operations.
     

  • Federal government water quality personnel—Become an inspector of water systems used on large-scale operations.
     

  • Customer service and sales—Agri-businesses need representatives who know the proper equipment to supply appropriate volumes of water while minimizing the negative impacts of waste water on the soil and environment. They also properly interpret and assure farming operations compliance with changing state and federal regulations on odor and water pollution concerns.
     

  • Golf course managers—Be a consultant for golf course irrigation needs regarding waterway sources that are rich in nutrients or to effectively manage diminishing water resources during drought conditions. 
     

  • Water quality inspector—Use your knowledge of system operations and soil carrying capabilities regarding compliance of current federal and state regulations for natural resource land users such as logging, mining, agri-business (cheese plants) operations, and municipal facilities.

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Faculty and facilities
Our experienced team of skilled instructors is committed to the success of each student through advising, teaching, and involvement in extracurricular activities. Individual help is always available. Our modern facilities include eight fully equipped labs in the spacious James Martin Laboratory building.

Specialized clubs
 Common interests are pursued through membership in the student branch of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). Visits to agribusinesses that are prospective employers is one of the benefits of this student club.

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