Degree Options:

Agribusiness Option

Farm and Ranch Management Option

At a glance:

The production of food and fiber, processing them, and transporting the final products to the world’s people is the largest enterprise on earth. Everyone everywhere depends on agriculture and thus in some way on agribusiness. Colleges of agriculture throughout the country recognize the necessity for trained individuals in the complex fields of agricultural business. It is estimated that nearly 50,000 jobs related to agriculture become available each year and many of them are related to agricultural business.  Some of the many career opportunities available for agricultural business graduates include those in agricultural sales, farm equipment, government services, financial services, grain and feed industries, transportation, foreign trade, agricultural communications and the Agricultural Extension Service.  These are just some of the examples of careers in agricultural business, a field which touches practically all areas of agriculture.

Why should a student choose the program at UT Martin?

This curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers in the rapidly expanding agricultural business sector. Students receive instruction in the agricultural sciences, agricultural economics, accounting, finance, policy, marketing and management. Students learn how the economic system operates as well as the role agriculture plays in the U.S. and global economy. The program emphasizes training related to the management of agricultural industry and business. Excellent career opportunities are available in industries and allied agencies; farm real estate and land appraisal services; insurance; agricultural supply businesses and cooperative management; agricultural policy at state and federal levels; market analysis, international agricultural trade, and agricultural finance.

Are there any special opportunities available such as internships, global travel, etc?

Supervised field experience, or an internship, is available for academic credit. It is required of all students in park and recreation administration, agricultural business, agricultural science production and plant science programs, and strongly encouraged for students in all other agricultural and natural resources management degree programs. Internships are designed to enable a student to obtain credit for completion of a prescribed program of work with an approved business or agency. Students have served as interns in a variety of agricultural management and marketing positions and as interns with a variety of city, state and federal agencies. Supervision and evaluation are provided by faculty and on- the-job supervisors. An essential element of this program is that the work experience be designed so it contributes to a students learning and level of competence in his/her chosen career area; routine summer jobs or seasonal employment that do not meet these criteria cannot be considered for internship credit. Students interested in the program should apply for participation one semester in advance and they should have achieved senior standing at the time the work experience begins in the case of park and recreation administration – and junior standing in the case of other concentration areas.

What can a student do after graduation – graduate school, possible careers?

The production of food and fiber, processing them, and transporting the final products to the world’s people is the largest enterprise on earth. Everyone everywhere depends on agriculture and thus in some way on agribusiness. Colleges of agriculture throughout the country recognize the necessity for trained individuals in the complex fields of agricultural business. It is estimated that nearly 50,000 jobs related to agriculture become available each year and approximately half of them are related to agricultural business. Some of the many career opportunities available for agricultural business graduates include those in agricultural sales, farm equipment, government services, financial services, grain and feed industries, transportation, foreign trade, agricultural communications and the Agricultural Extension Service. These are just some of the examples of careers in agricultural business, a field which touches practically all areas of agriculture.

What kind of student organizations, clubs, or honor societies can a student join?

Agriculture and natural resources management students are active in several organizations which include the Agronomy Club, Alpha Gamma Rho, Block and Bridle Club, Collegiate FFA, Collegiate 4-H, National Agribusiness Marketing Association, Park and Recreation Adventure Club, Equestrian Team (Athletics), Rodeo Team (Athletics), UT Martin chapter of the Wildlife Society, Student Cattlemen's Association, UT Martin Turf Club, Sigma Alpha and UT Martin Pre-Veterinary Club. These student organizations provide opportunities for meeting established professionals in the field, enhancing leadership skills and participation in social activities. Teams composed of students enrolled in agriculture or natural resources management annually participate in intercollegiate contests in livestock judging, crops judging, horse judging, NAMA Marketing Competition, SAEA Quiz Bowl and soil judging. Instruction and coaching are provided by faculty members and membership on the team is based upon participation and competitive performance in practice exercises. The teams have received awards in regional and national competition. They provide excellent opportunities for interested students to sharpen their evaluation skills. Equestrian competition is also available to interested students through the UT Martin athletics program.

What kind of facilities and equipment will be available to the student?

The UT Martin Agricultural and Natural Resources Field Teaching and Demonstration Complex, located adjacent to the campus, is utilized as the lab farm in the departments teaching programs. Together, both units comprise 680 acres and include herds of beef cattle, sheep, goats, horses and swine, as well as greenhouses and landscape, wildlife, field and forage crop demonstration areas. These facilities are used by faculty and students to conduct research that complements the teaching program as well as contributes to the broad objectives of the Center of Excellence.  The organization outlined above enables students to become familiar with research conducted at the teaching farm, other experiment stations of the UT Institute of Agriculture and other laboratories of the university. UT Martin, in this way, occupies a unique position that differentiates it from other institutions. UT Martin also has the Ned McWherter Agricultural Complex (pavilion and stalling facility), an Equine Center, West Tennessee Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and the Ray and Wilma Smith Livestock Merchandising Center, with all of these hosting a variety of events throughout the year.

Does the faculty specialize in certain areas?

Dr. Joey Mehlhorn (mehlhorn@utm.edu) is Professor of Agricultural Business and Interim Gil Parker Chair of Excellence.  Dr. Mehlhorn also serves as the Director of the Tennessee Governor’s for Agricultural Sciences and is actively involved in developing international business and educational relationships with Mexico. Dr. Scott Parrott (sparrott@utm.edu) is an Associate Professor of Agricultural Business and began his teaching career in August, 2008 following 10 years in private business. He specializes in farm and ranch management.