Agriculture at Mid-State

Do you work in ag today or just dream of a career in this exciting field? The agriculture programs at Mid-State are designed to fit within a busy schedule.

Agriculture Programs & Certificates

Agriculture at Mid-State offers a seamless pathway from certificate to technical diploma to associate degree.

Associate Degree

• Agribusiness Science & Technology

Technical Diplomas

• Agribusiness Agronomy Technician
• Farm Operation

Certificates

• Ag Diesel Engines and Equipment
• Agronomy Equipment Basics
• Introduction to Agriculture Business
• Introduction to Agriculture Topics
• Meat Cutting and Butchery (Related Certificate)

Flexible Offerings

• Count on flexible scheduling with your choice of day or evening classes.
• Take one class at a time and master a new course every eight weeks.
• Choose from classes at our Adams, Marshfield, Stevens Point Downtown, and Wisconsin Rapids campuses.
• Get started in fall, spring, or even mid-term.

Transfer Opportunities

Complete your Mid-State Agribusiness Science & Technology associate degree, then transfer to these UWs. You'll start as a junior on your way to your four-year degree:

• UW–River Falls
• UW–Platteville

Hands-On Learning

Mid-State is known for real-world training, and ag is no exception. You’ll experience hands-on learning at multiple farms in the area. You'll also have opportunities to meet and work with industry experts and train in the Marshfield Agriculture Research Station (MARS) of the UW-Madison Agriculture Research Station network.

High School Opportunities

Why wait? Explore agriculture careers during high school, and earn free college credits!

Dual Credit

Some courses taught at your high school may be available for dual credit. These are Mid-State courses taught by a high school instructor specially certified by Mid-State to teach the course. A great way to earn college credit that may also transfer to other colleges.

High school students can take two agriculture courses for dual credit: 

• Introduction to Food Science (3 credits)
• Introduction to Animal Science (3 credits)

General education courses are also available for dual credit, so students can advance even faster toward degree attainment.

Start College Now

Start College Now is a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) program for high school juniors and seniors enrolled in a public school district. It allows these students in good academic standing to take classes at Mid-State for both high school and college credit. With the high school’s allowance, these students are able to come to Mid-State during the school day to take their classes. 

Students are able to start any of the agriculture programs through Start College Now.

Other Opportunities

Beyond our world-class agriculture degree programs, Mid-State offers ways for everyone in the community to connect around ag topics. You'll find the right class or networking opportunity to stay informed and engaged. Check out the Production Agriculture Training and Farm Management Schedule today!

Professional Development

Agribusiness Farm Tour 
The Agribusiness Farm Tour will showcase innovative technology and agricultural practices that may help producers enhance their current operations. Primary benefits of attending this event include networking between current agriculture students, agribusinesses, and those interested in agriculture.

Artificial Insemination of Cattle Workshop
In this course, you will review the female reproductive organs of a cow and identify the hormones and their functions in the reproductive system. Discussion will include the signs of estrus, estrus cycle, methods of checking for heat, fertilization, gestation, and reproductive failures that may occur as well as the advantages and disadvantages of artificial insemination. In the hands-on portion of the class, we will learn the steps of and simulate the artificial insemination process using common tools and techniques.

Farm Bookkeeping Basics
Whether you’re a beginning farmer or a farmer wanting to make the switch to QuickBooks Online, this course will give you the confidence to handle your own farm business record keeping. You’ll learn what types of information you need to record, how to manage your paperwork workflow, how to navigate and enter information into QuickBooks Online, and how to become proficient at producing reports. These are the skills you need for informed decision-making, to satisfy lender requirements, and to provide organized records to your tax accountant.

Farm Financial Management
This course introduces topics related to farm financial management including understanding financial and production records; household budgets, statements, assets, and liabilities; and other farm financial and production records. Students will also learn how to evaluate and improve the health of the farm business by analyzing both market trends, as well as, how to identify potential problems.

Healthy Calving Workshop
In this course, you will review the female reproductive organs of a cow and discuss the gestation length of cattle based on breeds. You will learn about the process of parturition, including the signs of impending calving as well as normal and abnormal calf positions and how to correct them. The hands-on portion of this class will incorporate simulation with a cow-calf simulator and common tools used to assist with calving. We will also discuss post-delivery care of both cow and calf.

Home Hydroponics
Hydroponics is an exciting system to grow vegetables. Come learn about hydroponics on a commercial level and how you can apply the techniques at your home! Participants will have opportunity to build their own small-scale hydroponic setup to grow lettuce in their home.

Nutrient Management Planning
This course will share the environmental and economic improvements gained through nutrient management planning. Nutrient management planning can help reduce environmental impact and help your business increase profits while being a good land steward. The computer program SnapPlus will be taught and used in the nutrient management planning process. Each student will have the opportunity to create their own nutrient management plan. Their individual plan will be evaluated by a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA). Upon successful completion of the plan and positive evaluation by the CCA, the student can write their own nutrient management plan, acceptable to Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection standards, for the next three years. Please bring the results of a soil test conducted during the last four years.

Youth Quality Care of Animals
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) is a national, multi-species quality assurance program designed for youth ages 8 to 21. YQCA is designed as an annual education and certification program focused on food safety, animal well-being, and character awareness for youth producing and/or showing pigs, beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, market rabbits, and poultry. The program has been designed by extension specialists and national livestock program managers to ensure it is accurate, current, and relevant to the needs of the animal industry and shows and is most appropriate for youth.