Agribusiness includes supplying agricultural inputs and subsequent producing, processing and distributing food and fiber. Individuals who run agribusinesses may be involved with the farming, farm supply, marketing and processing or service sectors of agriculture.
The farming sector is highly dependent on the other farm-related businesses. The farm supply sector provides feed, seed, machinery and many other inputs to farmers. Each year the capital items purchased by farmers increase. The marketing and processing sector purchases products from farmers and delivers these products in the form, place and time desired by consumers. The service sector provides information, research and education to the other sectors of agriculture. While there is a declining number of farmers, there are increasing employment opportunities in the other sectors of agriculture as farmers purchase more items and consumers desire more highly processed food products.
Teacher education in agriculture has always had as its purpose the preparation of individuals for entry-level positions as high school teachers of agriculture. The majority of county-level extension agents and vocational technical institute agriculture teachers have also prepared themselves initially as high school agriculture teachers.
Because agricultural education includes a cross section of classes from all areas of agriculture, graduates are also employed by various sectors of agribusinesses. Some even return to farming.
Animal Science is the application of the basic sciences, state-of-the-art technology and sound business practices to the production and processing of domestic farm animals and animal products.
With rapid advancements in the basic sciences, technology and business skills, the newly revised Animal Science major offers the student an opportunity to learn modern and forward-thinking concepts of profitable farm animal production. The program is designed to highlight advanced classroom theory, considerable practical, hands-on experience and relevancy to this most important sector of the nation's agricultural industry. Courses are offered in areas of food processing, genetics, management, nutrition and physiology.
Ornamental horticulture is a branch of the broad field of horticulture that focuses on the art and science of floriculture (greenhouse management and interior design), landscape design and management, nursery management, turf management, and the development of recreational areas for public and private use.
UW-Platteville graduates that have completed a major in ornamental horticulture qualify for positions in landscape design and management, greenhouse management, horticultural therapy, plant breeding and genetics, plant tissue culture and biotechnology, plant inspection, education and research. Our job placement rates have been outstanding, exceeding 95% since the inception of the program. Graduates may also wish to further their education by pursuing a graduate study.
Reclamation is the practice of restoration and management of lands disturbed in the process of utilizing the earth's natural resources. As such, reclamation is s distinct profession. Although a large part of reclamation involves restoration of highly disturbed lands, a significant portion deals with natural landscapes, agricultural lands, industrial and urban lands, as well as wetlands.
Soil and crop science (agronomy) is the theory of plant and soil science and its application to the production of abundant, high-quality crops for use as food, feed, fiber, and fuel in an economically and environmentally sound manner. Curriculum includes instruction on: