Food and Agricultural Business, BS
A Bachelor of Science in Food and Agricultural Business prepares students to become future leaders in the agri-food industry with an interactive curriculum that covers economic principles, agricultural markets, and decision-making skills. Through educational experiences both inside and outside the classroom, this program is well-suited for students interested in business, agriculture, and the food industry.
Program Overview
The food and agricultural business major prepares students for the agri-business sectors by developing the knowledge and specialized skills needed to meet the growing market demand for careers at the intersection of business and agriculture.
Innovative, industry-focused coursework and experiential learning opportunities prepare students to successfully step into a wide range of jobs. With four concentrations, the degree program allows students to tailor their education to specialize in areas such as law, policy, farm business management, agribusiness management, agricultural finance, commodity markets, and agri-food supply chain. Regardless of your agricultural background, this program opens the doors to an impactful career in agriculture and food industries across the globe.
Concentrations
There are four concentrations within food and agricultural business: law and policy, finance and risk management (includes a business administration minor), food industry management (includes a business administration minor), and sustainable supply chain management.
Why study Food and Agricultural Business?
Real-World Experience
Food and agricultural business students gain practical, real-world experience and valuable connections through involvement in professional and student organizations, alumni seminars, and other networking opportunities.
Students participate in organizations like the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) or the Food and Agricultural Business club, creating authentic experiences surrounding the agri-business and marketing sectors.
Expanding Research Opportunities
In an industry where hands-on learning is essential, food and agricultural business provides students with experiential learning and research opportunities in production economics, natural resources and environmental economics, rural development, policy and trade and marketing, and logistics and finance.
Through research projects, students can work one-on-one with a faculty member to discover science-based solutions for producers, industry partners, policy makers, and consumers.
A Fast Track to Advanced Study
The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics offers an accelerated BS-MS program to qualified students. This five-year program provides students with both a Bachelor of Science in Food and Agricultural Business or Natural Resource and Environmental Economics and a Master of Science in Agricultural and Resource Economics.
Unique Funding Programs
Food and agricultural business students can receive assistance through various programs to help support their experiential learning opportunities. For example, the Farm Credit Mid-America Enrichment Program provides funding for student travel, competitions, internship support, and club activity. Also, the Peter Howard Wine and Ag Tourism Scholarship Program assists students pursuing internships in the areas of grape production, winemaking and marketing, agricultural farm recreational activities, and general farm recreation for profit.
What can you do with a degree in Food and Agricultural Business?
Students graduating with a degree in food and agricultural business have a wide range of career paths available within food, agriculture, and natural resources pathways. Graduates pursue careers in farm input supply, law and policy, agricultural lending and banking, real estate appraisal and sales, commodity market analysts, agribusiness management, logistics, and more!
Featured Courses
AREC 212 – Introduction to Agribusiness Management
Introduction to agribusiness firm characteristics and decision-making. Overview of economic principles and the basic functions of management―planning, organizing, controlling, and directing. Specific topics include firm structure, forecasting, marketing and selling, budgeting, break-even analysis, use of financial statements, capital investment, supervision, staffing, and evaluation.
AREC 313 – Agricultural Law
Survey of legal topics related to agribusiness operations and production agriculture in Tennessee. Topics include introduction to the legal system, property, contracts, farm and business organization, civil liabilities, and estate planning.
AREC 331 – Agricultural Commodity Policy
Economics rationale for and effects of historical and current policies and programs for the agricultural commodity sector including price and income support, supply management, and crop insurance. Relationship of domestic commodity policy to international trade agreements.
AREC 342 – Farm Business Management
Principles and procedures for determining most profitable business organizations and systems of operation; attention to traditional and nontraditional agricultural enterprises and businesses; nature of managerial processes; business records and their uses; budgeting; acquisition and management of capital, land, labor and machinery; farm business planning.
AREC 352 – Futures and Options Markets
Examination of futures and options markets. Emphasis is placed on using futures and options in a risk management and pricing context pertaining to trading, marketing, hedging, and procurement of agricultural commodities and natural resources in relation to the agribusiness/agricultural sectors.
AREC 395 – Executive Seminar Series
Exploration of leadership principles through and exposure to the application of leadership principles in actual organizations. Students will also gain career insights by interacting with alumni and executive leaders in the classroom each week.
AREC offers so many great experiential learning opportunities. I have been able to study abroad in Argentina, intern with Smithfield Foods, network with agribusiness industry leaders, and participate on the Natural Agricultural Marketing Association team for course credit. This program allows many ways to learn outside the classroom.”
Taylor Bundy, 2025
Food and Agricultural Business
Admissions and Aid
Learn more about admissions and aid by visiting the links below.