Agricultural Sciences and Technology

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Program Location

Fort Lupton Campus | Platte Building 114A

Program Contacts

Program Chair
Amy McFarland | amy.mcfarland@aims.edu | (303) 718-5311

Advisors and Faculty

Anne Anderson | anne.anderson@aims.edu

Cassey Anderson | cassey.anderson@aims.edu

Megan Blaser | megan.blaser@aims.edu

Uju Emmanuel | uju.emmanuel@aims.edu

Jason French | jason.french@aims.edu

Amy Lentz | amy.lentz@aims.edu

Tracy Lowery | tracy.lowery@aims.edu

Amy McFarland (Advisor) | amy.mcfarland@aims.edu

Carley Rohrbaugh | carley.rohrbaugh@aims.edu

Dallas Schleining | dallas.schleining@aims.edu

Tammy Schneider | tammy.schneider@aims.edu

David Swieter | david.swieter@aims.edu

Degrees Offered

AgriBusiness (A.A.S. Degree - Two Years)

Animal Science (A.A.S. Degree - Two Years)

Production Agriculture (A.A.S. Degree - Two Years)

Certificates Offered 

AgriBusiness Management (Two Semesters)

Animal Science (Two Semesters)

Horticulture (Three Semesters)

Introdution to Agribusiness (Two Semesters)

Introdution to Animal Science (Two Semesters)

Introdution to Horticulture (Two Semesters)

Introdution to Precision Agriculture (Two Semesters)

Precision Agriculture (Two Semesters)

Production Agriculture and Crop (Two Semesters)

Production Agriculture Mechanics (Two Semesters)

Statewide Transfer Degrees 

Offered through articulation agreements with Colorado State University:

Associate of Science (A.S.) - Ag Business (Designated Degree/DWD - Two Years)

Associate of Science (A.S.) -  Agricultural Education (Designated Degree/DWD - Two Years)

Associate of Science (A.S.) -  Animal Science (Designated Degree/DWD - Two Years)

Associate of Science (A.S.) -  Horticulture Business Management (Designated Degree/DWD - Two Years)

Associate of Science (A.S.) -  Soil & Crop Sciences (Designated Degree/DWD - Two Years)

Potential Opportunities

Agribusiness is a dynamic field that integrates agricultural technologies with core business principles. The AgriBusiness A.A.S. degree prepares skilled technicians to support agricultural producers and processors in areas such as finance, banking, sales, marketing, insurance, customer and public relations, and management.

The Production Agriculture A.A.S. degree is designed to develop both the management and production competencies required in modern farming and ranching. Career opportunities include farm management, crop consulting, agricultural sales, extension services, and roles in precision agriculture.

The Animal Science A.A.S. degree provides students with foundational knowledge in animal care, feeding, anatomy, and physiology, while also exploring the broader animal agriculture industry. Graduates may pursue careers in livestock feedlots, meat processing, agricultural sales, pharmaceuticals, supply chain, marketing, public relations, feedlot management, veterinary services, and agricultural education.

Horticulture is a rapidly growing field requiring expertise in soil science, plant biology, and environmental stewardship. The Horticulture Certificate prepares students for careers such as greenhouse specialist, grower, landscape manager, and groundskeeper, with a focus on troubleshooting environmental factors for optimal plant growth.

Certificates are short-term (typically one-year) technical programs focused on practical, job-ready skills. These certificates require no general education coursework and are stackable-meaning they fully apply toward related Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree programs. They are designed to prepare students for immediate employment in the agricultural sector.

In addition to the A.A.S. programs and certificates, the department offers five Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees with statewide articulation agreements, allowing students to transfer directly to Colorado State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a variety of agriculture-related fields.

Advisory Committee

Chris Badding | Kuhn Knight of Greeley

Ty Gavette | Bank of Colorado

Elvira Gonzalez | Weld Employment Services

Kelby Konig | Navisite

Sandra McDonald | Mountain West PEST

Brad Reid | 4Rivers Equipment

Mark Reinert | Van Diest Supply Company

Ricky Sellers | Veris Environmental, LLC

John Stahley | Colorado Agricultural Education

Bill Keating | Dairy MAX

Alternating Representative | Weld Central High School

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