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Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Agriculture Business

Agriculture Business

Overview

Agriculture is a vital component of our local, state, and national economies and offers many exciting employment opportunities. In addition to the production of a wide range of valuable agricultural commodities, the Sacramento region is home to numerous multi-national agricultural corporations and statewide governmental agencies. It is also a center for international agricultural trade and commerce.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

  • A.S.-T. in Agriculture Business
  • A.S. in Agriculture Business
  • Agriculture Business Certificate

Associate Degrees for Transfer

A.S.-T. in Agriculture Business

The Associate in Agriculture Business for Transfer degree provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements of the California State University for transfer to baccalaureate degree programs in Agriculture Business. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system. The Associate in Science in Agriculture Business for Transfer is comprised of lower division coursework typically required by CSU institutions. Students must complete the following Associate Degree for Transfer requirements (Pursuant to SB1440, §66746):
• 60 semester or 90 quarter CSU-transferable units
• the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern
• a minimum of 18 semester or 27 quarter units in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district
• obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0
• earn a grade of C or better (or a P if taken Pass/No Pass) in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis

Upon successful completion of the Associate in Science in Agriculture Business for Transfer degree requirements, students will be guaranteed admission to the CSU system with junior status and will not have to repeat lower division coursework.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
AGB 321 Agriculture Economics 3
PLTS 310 Soils, Soil Management, and Plant Nutrition (3) 3 - 5
   or HORT 302 Soils, Soil Management, and Plant Nutrition (3)
   or CHEM 300 Beginning Chemistry (4)
   or CHEM 305 Introduction to Chemistry (5)
   or CHEM 400 General Chemistry I (5)
STAT C1000E Introduction to Statistics (4) 4
   or STAT C1000H Introduction to Statistics - Honors (4)
ECON C2002 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
A minimum of 9 units from the following: 9
AGB 320 Agriculture Accounting (3)
AGB 330 Agriculture Sales and Communication (3)
AGB 310 Agriculture Computer Applications (3)
Total Units: 22 - 24

The Associate in Science in Agriculture Business for Transfer (AS-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) Requirement.

Enrollment Eligibility

To be eligible for enrollment in the program, the student must meet the following criteria:

  • Meet requirements for entering community college.
  • Have access to the Internet.
  • Have self-discipline, motivation, and the ability to complete required assignments on schedule.

Enrollment Process

Eligible students are selected for the program according to the following steps:

  • Admission to the college
  • Contact Agriculture Business Counselor regarding the specific transferable requirements for the individual universities.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • PSLO 1: Demonstrate the ability to think critically and analyze problems and recommend a solution.
  • PSLO 2: Analyze, classify, examine, record, and interpret financial information to solve economic and accounting concerns.
  • PSLO 3: Examine and apply the concepts and principles underlying economic issues.
  • PSLO 4: Apply effective listening skills to comprehend spoken messages, analyze information critically and consider multiple perspectives.
  • PSLO 5: Explain the principles of management and how managers differentiate their leadership styles.
  • PSLO 6: Differentiate the various functions of marketing.
  • PSLO 7: Design a model plan to allocate resources for an agribusiness organization.

Career Information

Agriculture Business Management; Supervision; Finance; Insurance; Government; Marketing; Distribution; International Trade; Sales and Service. NOTE TO TRANSFER STUDENTS: The Associate Degree for Transfer program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a campus of the California State University (CSU). Other than the required core, the courses you choose to complete this degree will depend to some extent on the selected CSU for transfer. In addition, some California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) requirements can also be completed using courses required for this associate degree for transfer major (known as “double-counting”). Meeting with a counselor to determine the most appropriate course choices will facilitate efficient completion of your transfer requirements. For students wishing to transfer to other universities (UC System, private, or out-of-state), the Associate Degree for Transfer may not provide adequate preparation for upper-division transfer admissions, because many universities require more lower division courses than those in this degree. Even the CSU's that accept this transfer degree may likely require more lower division courses to achieve the Bachelor degree. Specifically, courses in general chemistry, differential equations, linear algebra, and computer programming may better prepare the transfer student for certain universities. It is critical that you meet with a CRC counselor to select and plan the courses for the major, as programs vary widely in terms of the required preparation.

Associate Degrees

A.S. in Agriculture Business

The program is designed to prepare students for transfer to a four-year college/university in agriculture business or immediate employment in an entry-level agriculture business related career.

HIGHLIGHTS
*As the only community college agriculture program in the Sacramento region, the CRC Agriculture Business program provides an excellent opportunity for individuals who wish to pursue a career in agriculture, receive an Agriculture Business Associate in Science degree, or transfer to CSU or UC.

*The faculty in this program works closely with the five California agricultural degree offering universities to provide a quality transfer program for students interested in agriculture business, management and economics.

*The Sacramento region is fortunate to have some of the best high school agriculture programs in California. The faculty in the CRC Ag Business program works closely with these feeder schools to articulate coursework and facilitate the successful transition of agriculture students from high school to the university.

*Internships in Ag Business are available for students interested in work experience opportunities.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
AGB 300 Introduction to Agriculture Business 3
AGB 310 Agriculture Computer Applications 3
AGB 320 Agriculture Accounting 3
AGB 321 Agriculture Economics 3
AGB 330 Agriculture Sales and Communication 3
PLTS 310 Soils, Soil Management, and Plant Nutrition (3) 3
   or HORT 302 Soils, Soil Management, and Plant Nutrition (3)
ANSC 300 Introduction to Animal Science 3
PLTS 300 Introduction to Plant Science 3
ACCT 301 Financial Accounting 4
BUS 340 Business Law 3
ECON C2002 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
COMM C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking 3
Total Units: 37

The Agriculture Business Associate in Science (A.S.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See CRC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • PSLO 1:Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of agriculture business principles.
  • PSLO 2:Prepare students for transfer to higher learning institutions.
  • PSLO 3:Develop effective oral and written communication skills.
  • PSLO 4:Demonstrate the ability to think critically and analyze problems.
  • PSLO 5:Demonstrate independent learning and effective communication skills.

Career Information

Agriculture Business Management; Supervision; Finance; Insurance; Government; Marketing; Distribution; International Trade; Sales and Service. Some positions require a four-year degree for which CRC's program is a good base for transfer.

Certificate of Achievement

Agriculture Business Certificate

This program is designed to prepare students for entry level employment in agriculture business.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Certificate Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
AGB 300 Introduction to Agriculture Business 3
AGB 310 Agriculture Computer Applications 3
AGB 320 Agriculture Accounting 3
AGB 321 Agriculture Economics 3
AGB 330 Agriculture Sales and Communication 3
PLTS 310 Soils, Soil Management, and Plant Nutrition (3) 3
   or HORT 302 Soils, Soil Management, and Plant Nutrition (3)
ANSC 300 Introduction to Animal Science 3
PLTS 300 Introduction to Plant Science 3
ACCT 301 Financial Accounting 4
BUS 340 Business Law 3
ECON C2002 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
COMM C1000 Introduction to Public Speaking 3
Total Units: 37

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • PSLO #1 Demonstrate the ability to think critically and analyze problems and recommend a solution.
  • PSLO #2 Analyze, classify, examine, record, and interpret financial information to solve economic and accounting concerns.
  • Examine and apply the concepts and principles underlying economic issues.
  • PSLO #3 Apply effective listening skills to comprehend spoken messages, analyze information critically and consider multiple perspectives.
  • PSLO #4 Explain the principles of management and how managers differentiate their leadership styles.

Agriculture Business (AGB) Courses

AGB 300 Introduction to Agriculture Business

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • C-ID:C-ID AG - AB 104
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides a survey to the business and economics of the agriculture industry; and, an introduction to the economic aspects of agriculture including the agricultural producer, consumer and food system. The management principles encountered in the day-to-day operation of an agricultural enterprise are stressed as they relate to the decision making process.

AGB 310 Agriculture Computer Applications

  • Units:3
  • Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • C-ID:C-ID AG - AB 108L
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces computer use in the workplace with emphasis on agribusiness situations. Computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation managers will be covered. Also included will be accessing information through the Internet and World Wide Web, telecommunications, an introduction to web page design and other software appropriate to agribusiness.

AGB 320 Agriculture Accounting

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • C-ID:C-ID AG - AB 128
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces the principles of agriculture accounting systems and types of records, their use and how to compute and use measures of earnings and cost of production to improve agribusiness efficiency. Also included are farm income tax, Social Security, and employee payroll records.

AGB 321 Agriculture Economics

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU; UC
  • General Education:Local GE L4
  • C-ID:C-ID AG - AB 124
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course introduces the analysis of economic principles of resource allocation, production, cost analysis, and market price equilibrium with primary application to the agricultural sector; supply and demand in commodity pricing under perfect and imperfect competition; and agricultural credit, marketing and policy issues.

AGB 330 Agriculture Sales and Communication

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:COMM C1000
  • Transferable:CSU
  • C-ID:C-ID AG - AB 112
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course involves the study of principles and practices of the selling process: selling strategies and approaches, why and how people buy, prospecting, territory management, and customer service. Self-management, communication, and interpersonal skills necessary in developing managerial abilities, leadership qualities, and facilitating teamwork within the agribusiness sector will be explored. Students will gain experience through role-play, formal sales presentations, and job shadowing. The course content is organized to give students an in-depth understanding of the factors and influences that affect the agribusiness industry on a day-to-day basis. Communication, leadership, and management skills are basic tools necessary for future career development within the agribusiness sector, as well as other aspects of life.

AGB 331 Agriculture Marketing

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a survey of marketing aspects of the agriculture industry. Students will acquire an overview of the structure and institutional aspects of the marketing system including global agricultural markets. Student projects will include industry studies of the marketing of selected locally grown commodities.

AGB 495 Independent Studies in Agriculture Business

  • Units:1 - 3
  • Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

An independent studies project involves an individual student or small group of students in study, research, or activities beyond the scope of regularly offered courses. See the current catalog section of "Special Studies" for full details of Independent Studies.

AGB 498 Work Experience in Agriculture Business

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Hours:27 - 216 hours LAB
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Enrollment Limitation:Before students can enroll or participate in the Work Experience program, Los Rios Community College District must have a signed Employer Agreement on file with the student’s worksite. If the employer already has an active agreement with the district (viewable at losrios.edu/wexpemployeragreement), no further action is required. In addition, students must have a paid or unpaid internship, volunteer position, or job that aligns with their career goals in the field of Agriculture Business and a cooperating worksite supervisor who will sign all required course documents. High School students are not permitted to enroll in Work Experience courses.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • General Education:Local GE L7B (effective Summer 2026)
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course provides students with opportunities to develop marketable skills in preparation for employment in their major field of study or advancement within their career. It is designed for students interested in work experience and/or internships in transfer level degree occupational programs. Course content includes understanding the application of education to the workforce; completion of required forms which document the student's progress and hours spent at the work site; and developing workplace skills and competencies. Appropriate level learning objectives are established by the student and the employer. During the semester, the student is required to participate in a weekly orientation and complete 27 hours of related work experience for 0.5 unit. An additional 27 hours of related work experience is required for each additional 0.5 units. Students may take up to 16 units total across all Work Experience course offerings. This course may be taken up to four times when new or expanded learning objectives are introduced. Only one Work Experience course may be taken per semester.

AGB 499 Experimental Offering in Agriculture Business

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

Catalog