AGRICULTURE
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The Dordt Difference Dordt College is one of only a handful of Christian colleges in North America to offer an accredited four-year agriculture program. The diversity of agricultural opportunities near campus makes Dordt an ideal setting for both on-campus and off-campus study in agriculture. Our view of agriculture rests firmly on our understanding that “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). We’ll challenge you to think about issues such as stewardship, agricultural policy, environmental health, rural community vitality, and animal welfare from a Christian point of view. Because we believe that God calls us to care for his creation wisely, you’ll learn about the connectedness of plants, animals, business, economic infrastructure, and the natural environment. You’ll learn to evaluate choices about food and fiber production, processing, distribution, marketing, and disposal from a God-centered point of view. You’ll explore how production and marketing decisions in one part of the world affect the health of global and local environments and economies. Our agriculture students come from every region of the United States and from many Canadian provinces. This diversity helps faculty members maintain a working understanding of agricultural systems throughout North America.
FACILITIES The Science and Technology Center’s animal science and agronomy labs include a plant tissue culture lab, student project rooms, a greenhouse, and shared botany, chemistry, microbiology, and zoology labs The Agriculture Stewardship Center (ASC), located two miles north of campus, includes: • 200 acres of cropland used for production, crop testing, and research • 20 acres of cropland farmed organically, with the remainder farmed using conventional methods • Black Angus stock cow herd Students use the ASC for research projects, skill development, and class demonstrations.
HANDS-ON LEARNING In each emphasis, you will:
• do a directed research project • participate in hands-on labs • gain experience working at the Agriculture Stewardship Center
THE PROGRAM
• design and implement a research project that interests you
As an agriculture major you’ll take Core Program courses that lay a foundation upon which to build your career. Courses in the natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences will help you develop a comprehensive view of agriculture, regardless of your program emphasis.
• be able to participate in an offcampus program in Africa, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Ukraine, or another foreign country
We offer B.S. degrees and a B.A. degree in agriculture with seven emphases. We also offer a two-year associate degree and support a pre-veterinary program.
• have opportunities for local, national, and international supervised internships
Agriculture—for any of variety of agricultural careers. Agribusiness—for a business career in the agriculture industry, farm management, or related business fields. Agriculture education—for teaching agriculture at the high school level.
Animal science—for pre-veterinary programs, graduate school, and careers in livestock production or related services. Ag missions—for working in agriculture on the mission field. Biotechnology—for biotechnology-related areas, including research. Plant science—for graduate study or a career in agronomy, pest management, or horticulture. Pre-veterinary program—for meeting the requirements of the school you’ll attend. Associate of agriculture—a two-year associate degree that will move directly into a job after graduation. To explore combining an interest in agriculture and engineering, ask for the engineering flyer.
PLACEMENT • Our agriculture department faculty find that they often do not graduate enough majors to satisfy employer demand. Our students have been readily accepted into graduate schools. • Over the past several years, all of our students have found positions within six months of graduating. • Dordt College pre-veterinary graduates have earned the respect of faculty in veterinary schools across the United States and Canada. All graduates who have successfully completed our program and applied to a veterinary school have been accepted. • The number of agriculture-related opportunities is growing. Our students enter careers not only in farming and technical service support but also in government, finance, and in developing countries.
THE FACULTY Duane Bajema, Ph.D., Iowa State University. Animal science, ag business, ag education
Duane.Bajema@dordt.edu
Gary De Vries, M.Ed., South Dakota State University. Agriculture program leader, ag education Jeremy Hummel, Ph.D., University of Alberta. Plant science
Jeremy.Hummel@dordt.edu
John Olthoff, Ph.D., University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Animal science
John.Olthoff@dordt.edu
Richard Joerger, Ph.D., University of Minnesota. Agribusiness and ag education Mike Schouten, Agriculture Stewardship Center manager August 2015
Gary.DeVries@dordt.edu
Richard.Joerger@dordt.edu
Mike.Schouten@dordt.edu