About the Farm Management Minor
The farm and ranch management degree is a flexible program that combines economics
and agriculture fundamentals to prepare students for careers in management. Students
take 28 credit hours of courses, including upper-level agriculture courses of their
choice.
During your time at UW, you’ll have the opportunity to complete study abroad programs,
work paid internships and join student organizations — all of which equip you for
various careers in the ag sector.
Students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree at the University of Wyoming to
declare a minor in farm management.
Study abroad and enhance your understanding of farm management both in the U.S. and abroad! Here’s more info on two of the programs offered by UW’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics:
- Australia’s Export-led Ag Sector: Travel to Australia to visit over a dozen agricultural operations, see Sydney and spend a week at the University of New England.
- France’s Food and Farm Culture: Live with a host family in Europe while learning about sustainable food production. You’ll also take exciting trips to Paris, the Loire Valley, Brittany and Normandy.
What can you do with a farm and ranch management degree?
A farm and ranch management degree prepares you for hands-on leadership roles in agriculture, including managing or owning farms, ranches, feedlots or agribusinesses. You can work in production agriculture, livestock operations, agricultural finance, land and resource management or as a consultant helping others improve their operations. It’s also a strong foundation for careers in agricultural extension, supply chain logistics or further study in agribusiness or agricultural science.
Here are some of the jobs and careers our alumni pursue:
- Farm and Ranch Management
- Agricultural Sales
- Finance
- Natural Resource Management
- Distribution
- Agricultural Communications & Marketing
- National Cattlemen's Beef Association
- Wyoming Game and Fish Department
- Public Lands Council
- Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
- U.S. Senate
- Turflogic
- And more!
Yes, a farm management degree is designed to help you prepare to run a farm. It teaches you practical skills in crop and livestock production, business planning, finance, marketing and resource management so you can make informed decisions, increase efficiency and operate a successful farm or ranch.
In the farm and ranch management minor, you'll learn the fundamentals of running agricultural operations, including courses in agricultural economics, business management and resource planning. You’ll also gain practical knowledge in areas like budgeting, marketing, land use and livestock care, all geared toward managing or supporting successful farm and ranch businesses.
From Classroom to Cattle: Jamie’s Ranching Journey
Thinking about a future in agriculture? Hear from Jamie McElhaney, a 5th generation rancher and UW graduate, as she shares how her studies helped her return home to carry on her family’s cattle operation outside of Lusk. In this student spotlight video, Jamie explains how courses in ag business, finance and animal science gave her the tools she uses every day to make smart decisions on the ranch.
"The F&R Management minor is a great addition any students in other agricultural science degree programs who hope to operate their own business someday. Whether running your vet clinic or ranch, or growing vegetables to see at the local farmer’s market, you need the management, marketing and finance knowledge to survive on the business-side."
- Benjamin S. Rashford | Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics Department Head
