Agribusiness Management Major

Agribusiness Management is business school for hands-on learners.

A business degree—with a no-nonsense approach to the unique challenges of agriculture and the food industry. Graduates thrive in agricultural businesses and banks, insurance companies, and government. Others continue academic journeys at MBA programs, law school, and more.

The best of agriculture, the best of business school.

Students complete course work in marketing, management, finance, and accounting at the Penn State Smeal College of Business and then roll up their sleeves and apply those concepts to the multibillion-dollar world food system. This is learning by doing. While focused on agriculture, this degree is an excellent preparation for business of every kind.

Penn State Agribusiness Management grads are in high demand.

Seed and food companies, equipment manufacturers, and other agribusiness companies routinely tell us that our students are some of the best prepared to get right to work leading the industry.

Look at the directory of leading banks, insurance companies, and businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies to family farms, and you will see Penn State Agribusiness Management grads. The practical, problem-solving nature of your education can set you up for success.

Agribusiness Management is the right major if you: 

  • are a “people person” with a focused interest in agriculture
  • have an entrepreneurial appetite and mindset
  • thrive academically with hands-on, applied learning
Agricultural Business Management combines courses in both agricultural sciences and business.

A premier academic experience.

Career-driven curriculum

The formula for success as a business leader is the mastery of marketing, management, human resources, finance, and accounting. Those are the competencies we teach.

Example Business Courses

  • Strategic Decision Making in Agribusiness
  • Food Product Marketing
  • Economic Principles of Agribusiness Decision Making
  • Markets and Prices: Analysis and Forecasting
  • Agribusiness in the Global Economy

Specializations

Students majoring in Agribusiness Management must develop a 12-credit specialization. Separate your résumé from the pack and dig deep into an area driven by a specific business interest and/or personal academic curiosity.

Example specializations

  • Animal science
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • Information technology
  • International agriculture
  • International business
  • Language/culture study
  • Leadership development

Ag Journeys

“One of the Lion Ambassadors told me to find the college that makes me feel at home, and that really stuck with me as I made my decision to come to Penn State.”

– Isaac Clements

Out of the classroom and into the boardroom.

Our renowned Agribusiness Management faculty are adamant that the classroom experience is just the launchpad for your academic journey. We will help you find internships where you can put your agribusiness learnings to the test. Not only is it a great way to develop your business skills, but many of our internships result in job offers. There are also faculty-guided, student-led clubs, hands-on research opportunities, and study abroad opportunities for just about any area of interest under the sun.

Craft your experience. 

Related clubs and teams 

  • Agribusiness Management Club
  • Collegiate 4-H
  • Collegiate Farm Bureau
  • Penn State AgriMarketing Team (NAMA)
  • See all clubs and teams

Recent internships  

  • Agricultural financial institution
  • Food manufacturer
  • Government agency
  • Non-profit organization

Popular study abroad

  • Comparing French and US Food Systems in France
  • International Food Marketing in Italy
  • Mediterranean Agribusiness Management in Spain
  • Business and International Affairs in France and Spain
Agricultural systems management is another potential career field.
Ag business career options in the multimillion-dollar food and fiber industry.
Agribusiness management major offers interesting study abroad opportunities.

A practical, workforce-ready degree—and a college experience you’ll love.

Penn State Agribusiness Management grads are leading family farms and in top roles in Wall Street giants the world over.

Our alumni out in the world

  • Agricultural cooperatives
  • Agricultural risk management and consulting
  • Agrimarketing agencies
  • Ag retail management
  • Commodity brokers
  • Financial and lending institutions
  • Food processing companies
  • Futures and options exchange organizations
  • Government agencies
  • International trade and policy organizations
  • Market analytics
  • Product procurement and supply chain

Agribusiness Management Career Options

Major in Agribusiness Management, and you'll graduate ready to launch the rewarding career you want. Here are just a few career options.

Procurement specialist

A procurement specialist researches the marketplace and purchases goods and services that businesses need.

What will I do?

  • Create and maintain strong relationships with vendors
  • Negotiate contracts covering pricing, quality, and delivery
  • Take action when contracts or agreements are not kept
  • Track inventory and shortages and plan appropriate backfill

Risk management specialist

This specialist identifies financial risks to a company and recommends strategies to ensure profitability.

What will I do?

  • Study predictive and historical data
  • Create and implement risk management procedures
  • Ensure vendor contractual compliance
  • Develop and implement inventory management strategies

Industry sales representative

An industry sales representative sells specialized equipment and services to customers ranging from multinational corporations to family farms.

What will I do?

  • Solicit potential customers and travel to customer locations
  • Demonstrate products and services and close the sale
  • Stay current on competitor offerings
  • Assist customers with any questions or concerns after the sale