Has anyone done a degree in Agriculture?

[Ashleigh_]

Hi everyone Hope you've all had a good Christmas and New Year!

As title says really, just wondering if anyone has done a degree in agriculture? Have you found it useful, are you using it in your job now or doing something different?

I am currently in my first year studying History and Philosophy of Art. As much as I love the course and find the subject really interesting I realise that most of the jobs in the industry are going to be city based, predominately London (with the museums and galleries) and a city lifestyle isn't something I'd like to settle with. My 'dream' would be to have a smallholding, maybe specialising in organic produce and have a small cafe/restaurant in a local town selling food made on my farm and other local farms or county enterprises. I think that an agri. degree would be far more worthwhile?

Does anybody have any experience doing something similar? I realise that farming is a tough industry and far from plain sailing, but i'd rather be muddy, skint and happy than have a debt from a degree I won't be using

If anyone has any useful advice that would be great, having a little ponder about my future and always find this forum really helpful!

(ps. If anyone follows myself and Ronnie's progress - we are currently practicing a W&T dressage test in the hope of going to a small local competition in February! Who'd have thought it!! )

 

[Lyle]

I'm currently studying a Bachelor of Ag science, and I love it! It is incredibly hard work though, my course is very science based. I have around 20-24 contact hours a week, with practical classes often not finishing until 6pm. As said my course is science based, so first year was spent covering the basic sciences like biology, chemistry, physics and statistics (which was used later on in Genetics) Second year was better, with things like Biochem and Soil chemistry, and Animal physiology keeping it interesting! My course is very broad, we cover some agronomy and animal production subjects. I know there are other courses which are more farm management based, these are different to Agricultural science.

I have already been offered a full time job for when I graduate at the end of this year I will be starting to learn the ropes in field consultancy. I think with a degree in Ag (and pretty much any degree) you will get most of your specific learning and skills out in the field after you graduate.

Best of luck!

 

[goldypops]

Hi, I did a Bsc in agricultural science many moons ago!! From there I went to work for a feed company firstly working in the labs analysing feeds and then formulating feeds/legal labelling. I wasn't from a farming background but loved it. A science degree could lead you down those sorts of paths - nutritional advice, sales reps, consultancy. It may now be different but it was the science about agriculture rather than the practical side. We worked in the labs rather than in the fields!!! For your dream and the practical side you would need to go to an agricultural college rather than a main stream university. All hard work but if its your dream then you can make it work.

 

[Ashleigh_]

Thanks for the replies
I was looking at a practical course at an agricultural college (plumpton college if anyone knows of it?)
Not being very sciencey myself I don't think I would be able to hack a more acedemic course.

Nice to know you both got jobs afterwards that utilises the qualifications!
Thanks for the advice