Williams Baptist to offer agriculture degree
by February 11, 2025 3:19 pm 196 views
Williams Baptist University is expanding its academic offerings to include a degree in agriculture. The Bachelor of Science in agriculture business will be available starting this fall.
“WBU’s degree in agriculture business is the result of our longtime desire to address this workforce need in our region,” said Williams Baptist President Dr. Stan Norman. “Agriculture is a major component of our economy, not to mention our culture, and we are delighted to help shape the future leaders in this industry with the academically outstanding, Christ-centered education that Williams provides.”
The agriculture business degree at Williams Baptist will provide instruction in ag business, as well as data analysis and information systems for farming, including crop management, land stewardship, animal health, business operations, and marketing. Among other goals, the degree is intended to provide workers in the growing field of precision agriculture.
“We have met with a number of leaders in the field of agriculture around our region, and this degree is designed to meet the needs they have expressed to us,” said Norman. “We have heard over and over again of the pressing need for good workers who can navigate an agricultural environment that is increasingly driven by technology, especially precision agriculture. WBU’s agriculture business degree is designed to educate and prepare those workers.”
Academically, students in the new degree program will take classes in plant science, animal science, entomology, soil science and agri mechanics, as well as elective courses in agriculture. The program will also feature a core of classes from WBU’s Department of Business, with required courses in technology, accounting, finance, management, marketing, and other key business areas.
Students will also get hands-on experience at WBU’s Eagle Farms, an agricultural enterprise developed in recent years through the school’s Williams Works initiative. Eagle Farms includes a produce farm, organic egg operation, and meat processing plant, with other agricultural facets planned for the future.