CFAES Give Today
FABE

Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

CFAES

Agricultural Systems Management

 Students who major in Agricultural Systems Management (ASM) balance the study of a wide variety of agriculture-related management areas with practical lab and internship experiences to prepare themselves for future careers. Four areas of emplasis allow students to specialize their degree further in either Soil and Water, Structures and Facilities, Power and Machinery, or Precision Agriculture. ASM students learn the skills necessary to pursue careers in managing farms, working for equipment dealers, grain handling and seed production companies, and local farming co-ops. 

If you’re interested in learning how to manage agricultural systems -- how to work with field machinery, post-harvest processing equipment, or soil and water conservation practices --Agricultural Systems Management is the right fit for you! The ASM program offers:

Small Classes 
Be a part of a program that is dedicated to giving you personal attention in the classroom.

  • Average ASM class size: 20-40 students
  • Split hands-on lab sections: 12-30 students

Hands-on Learning 
The ASM program incorporating lab experiences and interactive activities within portions of every course. Students are required to complete at least one internship, and many complete more than one, in order to gain competitive on-the-job experience. 

Specialize Your Area of Study
With areas of emphasis in Soil and Water, Structure and Facilities, Power and Machinery, and Precision Agriculture, students can focus their pursuits for the career they want.

Job Outcomes 
Over 94% of 2019-2020 graduates secured a job within six months of graduation with an average starting salary of $52,089.

Areas of emphasis

Soil and Water
The preservation, enhancement and wise use of soil and water resources are crucial to our future. Topics covered within this major include surveying, hydrology, and the impact of alternative uses of land. You’ll also learn how to plan, select and manage drainage and irrigation systems in an effort to reduce soil erosion and to improve water quality.

Natural resources are receiving ever-increasing attention by regulatory agencies, and our graduates are well prepared to handle on-going environmental issues. Graduates find employment with local soil and water conservation districts, environmental government agencies, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and with companies and contractors providing related material and services.

Structure and Facilities
Students interested in structures and facilities learn the basic principles of crop processing and storage, greenhouse construction and management, waste management, anaerobic digestion, renewable energy, ventilation and energy management, and construction management. Rapid changes in the livestock industry, crop storage systems, and controlled plan environments have increased the demand for personnel who understand the basic concepts of increasingly sophisticated agricultural facilities.

Power and Machinery
Instructors of power and machinery classes teach students basic operating principles- selection, calibration, and performance evaluation- and the management of various agricultural machines. Additional topics include load sensing hydraulic system, electronics, ISOBus, and CAN. Graduates with an interest in power and machinery are hired by corporate farming enterprises, global agricultural machinery manufacturers, crop production input suppliers, and other companies.

Precision Agriculture
Students interested in technology will learn how satellite based guidance systems and other related technologies can be utilized to track and manage agricultural inputs (i.e. seed, fertilizer, fuel) and better manage their farming operation or take this knowledge directly to industry working for agricultural consults and manufacturers. Understanding how to set up an auto guidance system is only a small piece of the puzzle. Students master precision agriculture technologies like soil and crop health sensors, yield monitors, GNSS, GIS and mapping, variable rate controllers, and automated guidance. Graduates of this program are challenged to understand management and troubleshooting of the entire agricultural system.

Where our graduates go

Ag Leader Technology Crop Production Services Mescher Dairy Farm
AgriGold Hybrids Decker’s Nursery OARDC Western Research Station
Andre Farms Findlay Implement Company Ohio Department of Agriculture
AriGold Ford Distributing Ohio Farm Bureau
Auglaize Highway Heritage Cooperative Ohio Seed
Auglaize Soil and Water John Deere Rowland Truck and Equipment
Cargill Kalmbach Feeds Inc. Sweeney Farms
Con-Agra Kubota Tractor Corporation The Andersons
Consolidated Grain and Barge Lincoln Electric Unverferth Manufacturing Company Inc.
Cooper Farms June Mercer Landmark Voss Brothers

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

1. Plan and manage machinery systems, building infrastructure, and soil and water resources used in the sustainable production of food, fiber, and energy incorporating appropriate safety, environmental, legal, and economic constraints.
2. Implement and follow the business principles and ethical practices necessary to build and maintain a viable farm or agribusiness.
3. Function effectively in a global society both as a team member and a leader interacting successfully with agricultural industry professionals, government officials, and an ethnically and culturally diverse general.
4. Become an accomplished professional in agriculture and related industries who continuously updates his or her technical and management skills and serves relevant industry association and organizations.
5. Contribute technical, management, and leadership skills to community activities, organizations, and charities.