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Agriculture Education Options in Florida

Agriculture is a multi-billion dollar industry, growing and evolving to keep pace with increasing global populations and in constant need of new talent. Finding good college agricultural programs can be difficult, and with 39 colleges in Florida that offer agriculture and natural resources programs, finding the best ones can be especially tricky. Here are a few of the Florida schools that offer an agriculture degree.

University of Florida

The University of Florida operates a huge College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), making it a top destination for students searching for educational opportunities in agriculture. CALS offers undergraduate majors, undergraduate minors and certificates, and graduate masters and doctoral programs in agricultural sciences, natural resources, forest and geospatial sciences, life sciences, and preprofessional studies.

Undergraduate Programs

The college offers 24 undergraduate majors, 30 undergraduate minors, and 18 undergraduate certificates. They also offer exploratory elective courses. Majors include:

  • Agricultural Education and Communication
  • Agricultural Operations Management
  • Animal Sciences

Graduate Programs

Of 25 graduate programs, you can earn a Master of Science degrees online for:

  • Agronomy:
  • Agricultural Education and Communication
  • Entomology and Nematology
  • Family, Youth and Community Sciences
  • Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 
  • Forest Resources and Conservation
  • Microbiology and Cell Science
  • Soil and Water Sciences

CALS Locations

The University of Florida is located in Gainesville, but CALS students may take certain undergraduate courses online or at the following UofF locations:

  • Apopka
  • Fort Lauderdale
  • Milton
  • Plant City

See the CALS location guide.

Florida A&M University

Tallahassee’s Florida A&M is one of the top ranking HBCUs in the nation, and its College of Agriculture and Food Sciences has been educating students since 1891.

Undergraduate Programs

  • Agribusiness
  • Agricultural Science
  • Animal Science Industry
  • Animal Science – Pre-Veterinary
  • Biological System Engineering
  • Entomology
  • Food Science
  • Plant & Soil Science
  • Veterinary Technology

Graduate Programs

Master

  • Agribusiness
  • Soil & Water Science
  • Entomology
  • Plant Science

PhD

  • Entomology

Warner University

Based in Lake Wales, Florida, Warner University offers undergrads an Agricultural Studies major that is very hands on. “Through field experiences and a broad range of coursework, students who complete the program gain practical skills and knowledge in preparation for addressing challenging issues that face modern agricultural production. Innovative courses include topics on speciality crops, animal science, soils, plant science, conservation, sustainability, global agriculture, and agribusiness.”

Florida Southern College

Lakeland, Florida’s Florida Southern College offers an undergraduate degree in Citrus and Horticulture Science with a concentration on Biotechnology. The program “focuses on crop improvement through the application of technology, including plant tissue culture, DNA analysis, genetics, and microbiological techniques.”

Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is a large, four-year, public university located in Fort Myers. They do not offer traditional agriculture classes, but they have recently opened a Center for Agribusiness. FGCU students may apply to the program for an agribusiness minor. Any student can apply, regardless of what college they’re enrolled in. You’ll take classes about the economics of the agriculture business, supply chain management, marketing, sustainability, and more.

College Transfer Programs

The following colleges offer an associates degree or pathway for students who want to transfer to a four-year college and continue studying agriculture.

Pensacola State CollegePensacolaAgriculture Science Associate in Arts (AA)
South Florida State CollegeAvon ParkLandscape Horticulture (AS)
Hillsborough Community CollegeTampaAgriculture AA Pathway (AA)
College of Central FloridaOcalaAgribusiness Management (AS)
Indian River State CollegeFort PierceGeneral Agriculture (AA)
ValenciaOrlandoHorticulture Science (AA)
Plant Science in Agricultural Technology (AS)
Miami Dade CollegeAgriculture Pathway (AA)

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