The excellent curriculum, dedicated faculty, and modern facilities coupled with California State University, Fresno's location in the agribusiness capital  make an unbeatable combination!   We believe you will find California State University, Fresno a fantastic place to earn your college degree and embark on a productive professional career.

What is an Agricultural Business major?

An agricultural business major is a student preparing to work in the agribusiness or related sector of the economy. The agribusiness sector includes numerous industries made up of firms supplying inputs to production agriculture, enterprises producing food and fiber products, companies that process and market these products, and others. Agricultural business majors find jobs as loan officers, bank vice presidents, lobbyists, computer service representatives, accountants, sales managers, real estate appraisers, marketing representatives, export trade managers, farm managers, personnel specialists, labor contractors, public relations specialists, and the list goes on. Some pursue post baccalaureate education to become attorneys, teachers, economists, and corporate managers.

A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report finds that there will not be enough qualified individuals to fill all of the agricultural business positions over the next few years. So, starting salaries are on the rise for those entering the agricultural business area.

What is the Agribusiness Program?

The Agricultural Business program at California State University, Fresno, provides a stimulating environment in which to learn and grow. Recognized as one of four model agribusiness programs in the U.S., it enjoys nationwide recognition. The curriculum is a blend of economic principles and business applications in the agricultural and food industries. It stresses the development of analytical reasoning and creative thinking in problem solving. The faculty prides itself on maintaining a personal touch with students. Each student works closely with a faculty adviser to develop a course of study tailored to individual interests. Internships in agribusiness firms and related enterprises, projects on the university farm, and participation in student organizations add to the educational experience.

The Agricultural Business program is housed in the Department of Agricultural Economics within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (CAST).  CAST is one of eight colleges & schools at California State University, Fresno. Departments in the College include: Agricultural Economics, Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education; Viticulture and Enology, Food Science and Nutrition; Plant Science and Mechanized Agriculture; Industrial Technology; and the Department of Child, Family and Consumer Sciences. Each offers a minor program of study that can complement your major in agricultural business.

Since the Department of Agricultural Economics administers the Agricultural Business program, all of the undergraduate agricultural business courses are titled Ag Ec (for agricultural economics). These courses may be accounting, law, computers, farm management, marketing, etc., but they all have an Ag Ec prefix. Lower division courses have one or two digits (e.g., Ag Ec 1 or Ag Ec 28), while upper division courses are numbered 100-199 (e.g., Ag Ec 110).