Farm and Ranch Management

Farm and ranch management is a diverse field with subspecialties related to animal science, agriculture, biology, business, financial planning and resources allocation. Those who study this field learn about food production, environmental issues and natural sciences in addition to management and business.

Inside Farm and Ranch Management

Farm and ranch management is an interdisciplinary field of knowledge covering the skills needed to grow crops and raise livestock, as well as to run a successful agricultural business. Farm and ranch management programs combine economics, agriculture, animal management, soil science and business administration in order to better prepare students to succeed in the world of contemporary agribusiness.

Traditionally, postsecondary education has not been a prerequisite for success in the field of farm and ranch management. Today, however, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the increasingly competitive world of agribusiness requires farmers and ranchers to stay abreast of developments in the field by completing a degree program. In addition to secondary education, voluntary accreditation as an Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) by the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers is an option for improving one's career prospects (www.ascfmra.org).

While, according to the BLS, overall employment in the farm and ranch management sector was expected to decline between 2008 and 2018 due to consolidation and increasing productivity of farmlands, there is room to enter the agriculture business primarily in small-scale, local and organic farming, ranching and horticulture (www.bls.gov). The BLS also explains that for the majority of farm and ranch managers, income varies substantially from year to year, because it is tied to both market prices and the productivity of any given farm for any given year. The BLS reported that median weekly pay for a full-time, salaried agricultural manager in 2008 was $755 per week.

Learn More About Farm and Ranch Management

Education-Portal.com provides a wealth of information on how to attain the necessary education to secure gainful employment as a farm manager, livestock rancher or another agribusiness occupation.

Degree Options

Postsecondary degrees are helpful in learning the dynamics of modern farming. Below are a few articles about the educational options available in the agricultural management field.

Career Options

The field of farm and ranch management encompasses a range of occupations that combine practical agricultural know how with business and management savvy.

Distance Education Options

While most agribusiness and agriculture degrees require hands-on experience in addition to coursework, many programs allow courses to be completed online. Free online courses are available, but many do not provide college credit.

Farm and Ranch Management Related Articles

  • Related
  • Recently Updated
  • Popular
Farm Management Training and Course Overviews

Courses in farm management are primarily available through diploma and associate degree programs that provide students with instruction in a...

Vegetable Farm Supervisor: Job Description, Duties and Salary

Many vegetable farms hire supervisors to oversee employee productivity and farm profitability. Degrees in agricultural science or farm and...

Farm Management Degree Program Information

Farm management, sometimes called integrated farm management, is the business end of farm operations. Farm managers handle a farm's...

Best Degree Programs for Information Systems Management - Fresno, CA
Situated in the heart of Fresno, CA, California State University is home to over 20,000 total students and over 1,000 full- and part-time...
Top School for a Psychology Degree - Phoenix, AZ
Arizona State University, located near Phoenix in Tempe, AZ, near Phoenix, has an annual enrollment of nearly 66,000. It offers two bachelor's...
Distance Learning Employment Law Master's Degree

A master's program in employment law trains human resource professionals in workplace regulations and labor laws. Nova Southeastern...

Bachelor of Management Degree Overview

Bachelor's degree programs in management provide students with the leadership and strategic management skills needed to be a successful...

3 Popular Schools

  • DeVry University

    School locations:
    • Online Learning
    • Arizona (3 campuses)
    • California (16)
    • Colorado (3)
    • Florida (6)
    • Georgia (4)
    • Illinois (8)
    • Indiana (2)
    • Kentucky (1)
    • Maryland (1)
    • Michigan (1)
    • Minnesota (1)
    • Missouri (2)
    • North Carolina (2)
    • New Jersey (3)
    • Nevada (1)
    • New York (2)
    • Ohio (4)
    • Oklahoma (1)
    • Oregon (1)
    • Pennsylvania (5)
    • Tennessee (2)
    • Texas (7)
    • Utah (1)
    • Virginia (3)
    • Washington (3)
    • Wisconsin (2)

    Online and Classroom-Based Programs

    What is your classroom preference?

    Request Info

  • Strayer University

    Minimum eligibility requirements:
    • Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
    School locations:
    • Online Learning
    • Alabama (2 campuses)
    • Arkansas (1)
    • Columbia (D.C.) (1)
    • Delaware (1)
    • Florida (9)
    • Georgia (8)
    • Illinois (4)
    • Indiana (1)
    • Kentucky (3)
    • Louisiana (1)
    • Maryland (5)
    • Minnesota (2)
    • Missouri (2)
    • Mississippi (1)
    • North Carolina (5)
    • New Jersey (4)
    • Ohio (6)
    • Pennsylvania (7)
    • South Carolina (3)
    • Tennessee (3)
    • Texas (8)
    • Utah (1)
    • Virginia (11)
    • Wisconsin (1)
    • West Virginia (1)

    Online and Classroom-Based Programs

    What is your highest level of education?

    Request Info

  • University of Phoenix

    Minimum eligibility requirements:
    • Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
    School locations:
    • Online Learning

    Online Programs

    Do you prefer online or campus based learning?

    Request Info

Other Schools:

Other Related Schools:

  • Texas Tech University

    School locations:
    • Texas (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Texas Tech University include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
      • Undergraduate: Bachelor
    • Agriculture
      • Agricultural Business
        • Agricultural Economics
      • Animal Science
      • Food Sciences and Technologies
      • Horticulture
      • Plant Science
      • Soil Science
    » Research Texas Tech University's Programs & Degrees

  • University of Florida

    School locations:
    • Florida (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at University of Florida include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
      • Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Agriculture
      • Agricultural Business
        • Agricultural Economics
      • Animal Science
      • Food Sciences and Technologies
      • Plant Science
      • Soil Science
    » Research University of Florida's Programs

  • Illinois State University

    School locations:
    • Illinois (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Illinois State University include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, Master
      • Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate, Postbaccalaureate Certificate
      • Undergraduate: Bachelor
    • Agriculture
      • Agricultural Business
        • Agribusiness Operations
    » Research Illinois State University's Programs

  • University of Delaware

    School locations:
    • Delaware (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at University of Delaware include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, Master
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Agriculture
      • Agricultural Business
      • Animal Science
      • Food Sciences and Technologies
      • Horticulture
      • Plant Science
    » Research University of Delaware's Degree Programs

Popular Schools