Nov 21, 2024  
2023-2024 University Catalog 
    
2023-2024 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Agribusiness and Food Industry Management, B.S.: 120 units


Offered by: Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture, Agribusiness & Food Industry Management and Agricultural Science Department

The curriculum matrix for the degree program may be found here. The curriculum matrix is the alignment of courses (curriculum) with the desired goals and student learning outcomes of the program. It shows what is taught and how these outcomes are achieved through the completion of the degree program.

www.cpp.edu/~agri/agribusiness/index.shtml

The Agribusiness and Food Industry Management program focuses on business applications that support the agricultural industry. The major offers a wide selection of coursework designed for students to assume leadership positions in the management, marketing, and production of all agricultural products from field to plate.

The curriculum is designed to provide students with an understanding of business functions in application, theory, and practice. Students also can participate in intercollegiate marketing competitions, promoting agricultural products.

Enterprising students are employed in the operations of the W.K. Kellogg horse unit, livestock and farming operations of the Kellogg Ranch, and the Farm Store at Kellogg Ranch, which markets Cal Poly’s finest fruits and vegetables.

Private sector careers abound in all areas of agribusiness and food industry management. Many graduates work for commodity boards and trade organizations that represent products from almonds to zucchini. Many alums work in sales, management, and brokerage of commodities such as hay, grain, and feedstuffs, often internationally. The large produce industry in Southern California demands graduates that are ready to work and knowledgeable in production, procurement, sales, and accounting. Other careers include pharmaceutical sales, animal hospital management, animal rescue management, livestock, dairy, equine industry management, farm and ranch management, packinghouse management, and retail operations. Alumni have pursued legal careers involving agriculture as well as agricultural communications and journalism.

Public sector careers are currently in high demand due to an aging workforce. It is estimated that over 60% of the nation’s federal, state, and county agricultural workforce will retire during the next decade. A multitude of opportunities are found within the 7 mission areas and 27 agencies of the USDA. These include the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, National Resource Conservation Service, Forestry Service, Food Safety Inspection Service, Risk Management, and Economic Research Service. Interesting career areas within these agencies include smuggling interdiction, poisonous plant reconnaissance, habitat restoration, and crop, livestock, and commodity modeling. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of the Interior also offer rewarding careers protecting agricultural systems from terrorists, monitoring public lands with the Bureau of Land Management, conserving resources with the National Park Service, and water related careers with the Bureau of Reclamation.

Locally, trained farm advisors consult and work with local farmers and ranchers to improve practices and profitability. They are also involved with nutrition programs and 4-H. County Agricultural Commissioners have large workforces, which monitor pesticide applications, weights and measures, local farmers markets, and commodity stabilization and standardization.

Major Electives: 20 units


Student will determine electives upon consultation with advisor.

General Education Requirements: 48 units


Students should view their Degree Progress Report (DPR) for information regarding their General Education requirements. Unless specific GE courses are required for their major, please refer to the list of approved courses in the General Education Program in the University Catalog, https://catalog.cpp.edu. When viewing the catalog, students should select the catalog year associated with the GE requirements listed in their Degree Progress Report.

Area A. English Language Communication and Critical Thinking (9 units)


At least 3 units from each sub-area
1. Oral Communication
2. Written Communication
3. Critical Thinking

Area B. Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning (12 units)


At least 3 units from each sub-area
1. Physical Sciences
2. Life Sciences
3. Laboratory Activity
4. Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
5. Science and Technology Synthesis

Area C. Arts and Humanities (12 units)


At least 3 units from each sub-area and 3 additional units from sub-areas 1 and/or 2
1. Visual and Performing Arts
2. Literature, Modern Languages, Philosophy and Civilization
3. Arts and Humanities Synthesis

Area D. Social Sciences (9 units)


At least 3 units from each sub-area
1. U.S. History and American Ideals
2. U.S. Constitution and California Government
4. Social Science Synthesis

Area E. Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (3 units)


Area F. Ethnic Studies (3 units)


 

For an alternative and interdisciplinary way to complete some of their GE requirements, students may choose the Interdisciplinary General Education program, see below. 

Interdisciplinary General Education: 18 units


An alternate pattern for partial fulfillment of GE Areas A, C, and D available for students is the Interdisciplinary General Education (IGE) program.  Students should see an advisor for specific GE coursework required by their major.  Please refer to the University Catalog General Education Program section for additional information.

How IGE fulfills General Education Requirements:

GE Area Courses
A2 IGE 1100  and IGE 1200 
Category II students are eligible to enroll in IGE 1100 (Fall) and IGE 1200 (Spring) as a two-course sequence to fulfill GE Area A2. Students who choose this sequence will also satisfy GE Area C2. Category III and IV students need to enroll in English composition courses in the A2 GE course list.
C1 IGE 2350  
C2 IGE 1100 , IGE 1200 , IGE 2150 , or IGE 2250  
C3 IGE 3100  
D1 IGE 2150  or IGE 2250 
Also satisfy American Institutions Part A
D4 IGE 3100  

A single course cannot be double-counted across multiple GE Areas.

revised 07/12/2024

American Institutions: 6 units


Courses that satisfy this requirement may also satisfy GE Areas D1 and D2.

Graduation Writing Test


The Graduation Writing Test (GWT) is suspended until Fall 2025. Students entering Cal Poly Pomona before Fall 2025 are not required to take the Graduation Writing Test.