Agricultural business management (ABM) majors learn to apply the fundamentals of business to agriculture and related industries. Students study business operations, finance and economic decision analysis, analytical and managerial tools, organization of the food system, and commodity markets.
Offered through the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, ABM coursework includes agribusiness, economics, statistics, accounting, finance, and management. Majors can take some courses through the School of Business, including business law, fundamentals of accounting and finance, and fundamentals of management. ABM majors learn managerial economics, how businesses make decisions and minimize risk, and how to use applied mathematics and statistics to analyze prices and markets.
The agribusiness industry — which encompasses enterprises related to farming and the bio-economy — needs staff who are educated in both business and agriculture. The ABM major prepares students for great careers in management, business analysis, marketing, commodities trading, sales, consulting, banking, and finance. In addition to agribusiness firms, ABM graduates find employment with food companies, tech companies, co-operatives, government agencies, and financial institutions.
Learn through hands-on, real-world experiences
Students are encouraged to apply their course learning to real life through research projects, independent studies, and internships with guidance from faculty and staff members. During their final year, majors complete a senior capstone course where they work closely with fellow students on a semester-long project and also hear from program alumni.
Build community and networks
Students get to know faculty and instructors through the courses they take, and they can build their networks by participating in student organizations and the department’s commodity trading challenge team.
Individuals selected for the Renk Scholarship Program, operated by the Renk Agribusiness Institute, receive mentorship and financial support, as well as internship and networking opportunities.
Customize a path of study
Core courses focus on macroeconomics, microeconomics, finance, accounting, commodity markets, and economic analysis, planning, and management. ABM students customize their academic experience to fit their career goals by completing additional coursework in finance, accounting, management, marketing, business law, and human resources.
Make a strong start
A number of first-year seminar courses are available to help new students understand academic programs, access student services, and develop time management and study skills.
Gain global perspective
There are several internationally focused courses that ABM majors can take within the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. Some students choose to study abroad, working with their advisor and the CALS study abroad office to identify appropriate programs. Students can explore studying abroad as an ABM major utilizing the Agricultural Business Management Major Advising Page. Students work with their advisor and the CALS study abroad office to identify appropriate programs.
How to Get in
To declare this major, students must be admitted to UW–Madison and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). For information about becoming a CALS first-year or transfer student, see Entering the College.
Students who attend Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) with the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences have the option to declare this major at SOAR. Students may otherwise declare after they have begun their undergraduate studies. For more information, contact the advisor listed in the Contact Box for the major.
Students in the Agricultural Business Management BS degree program may not declare the Certificate in Business Management for Agricultural and Life Sciences.
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Requirements
In addition to the University General Education Requirements, all undergraduate students in CALS must satisfy a set of college and major requirements. Courses may not double count within university requirements (General Education and Breadth) or within college requirements (First-Year Seminar, International Studies, Science, and Capstone), but courses counted toward university requirements may also be used to satisfy a college and/or a major requirement; similarly, courses counted toward college requirements may also be used to satisfy a university and/or a major requirement.
College Requirements for all CALS BS Degree Programs
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Work: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000 to remain in good standing and be eligible for graduation. | ||
| Residency: Students must complete 30 degree credits in residence at UW–Madison after earning 86 credits toward their undergraduate degree. | ||
| First year seminar | 1 | |
| International studies | 3 | |
| Physical science fundamentals | 4-5 | |
| General Chemistry I | ||
or CHEM 108 | Chemistry in Our World | |
or CHEM 109 | Advanced General Chemistry | |
| Biological science | 5 | |
| Additional science (biological, physical, or natural) | 3 | |
| Science breadth (biological, physical, natural, or social) | 3 | |
| CALS Capstone Learning Experience: included in the requirements for each CALS major (see "major requirements") | ||
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics and Statistics | ||
| This major requires calculus. Prerequisites may need to be taken before enrollment in calculus. | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 5 | |
| Survey of Calculus 2 | ||
| Calculus with Algebra and Trigonometry II | ||
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1 | ||
| Quantitative Tools for Economics | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Statistics: Measurement in Economics | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Methods | ||
| Introductory Applied Statistics for Engineers | ||
| Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences | ||
| Business Analytics I and Business Analytics II | ||
| Statistics for Sociologists I | ||
| Basic Statistics for Psychology | ||
| Core | ||
| A A E 101 | Introduction to Agricultural and Applied Economics | 4 |
| or ECON 101 | Principles of Microeconomics | |
| ECON 102 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3-4 |
| ECON 301 | Intermediate Microeconomic Theory | 4 |
| or ECON 311 | Intermediate Microeconomic Theory - Advanced Treatment | |
| A A E 267 | Career Development for AAE & ABM Majors | 1 |
| A A E 320 | Agricultural Systems Management | 3 |
| A A E 335 | Introduction to Data Analysis using Spreadsheets | 2 |
| A A E 322 | Commodity Markets | 4 |
| A A E 419 | Agricultural Finance | 3 |
| A A E/ECON 421 | Economic Decision Analysis | 4 |
| A A E 422 | Food Systems and Supply Chains | 3 |
| Complete three of the following: | 9 | |
| The International Agricultural Economy | ||
| Cooperatives and Alternative Forms of Enterprise Ownership | ||
| Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation and Technology | ||
| Introduction to Finance | ||
| Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory | ||
| Business Law | ||
| Fundamentals of Accounting and Finance for Non-Business Majors | ||
| Fundamentals of Management and Marketing for Non-Business Majors | ||
| Marketing Management | ||
| Managing Organizations | ||
| Human Resource Management | ||
| Introductory Financial Accounting | ||
| Introductory Managerial Accounting | ||
| Accounting Principles | ||
| Capstone | ||
| A A E 500 | Senior Capstone Experience | 3 |
| Total Credits | 51-53 | |
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate how insights from economics can support effective decision-making in businesses, communities, and societies.
- Apply economic concepts and methods to real world situations in agricultural business management.
- Analyze, interpret, and effectively summarize quantitative data.
- Employ economic models and mathematical techniques to structure and solve questions of resource allocation.
- Describe the structure of the agricultural business sector and how it functions.
Four-Year Plan
This sample four-year plan is a tool to assist students and their advisors. Students should use their DARS report, the degree planner, Guide requirements, and the course search & enroll tools to make their own four-year plan based on their placement scores, credit for transferred courses and approved examinations, and individual interests.
Note: Students must complete MATH 213, MATH 217, or MATH 221 or ECON 205. Students may satisfy the required level of math proficiency through the math placement exam. On the other hand, this level of competence may require as many as three or four semesters of coursework in mathematics, depending on where students begin their course sequence.
Students must complete at least 120 total credits to be eligible for graduation.
Sample Agricultural Business Management Four-Year Plan
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| COMM A | 3 | A A E 101 | 4 |
| MATH 114 or 211 | 4-5 | MATH 221 or 213 | 3-5 |
| CALS First Year Seminar | 1 | Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| CALS Biological Science Requirement | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 14-15 | 13-15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ECON 102 | 3-4 | ECON 301 | 4 |
| ECON 310, STAT 301, or STAT 371 | 3-4 | A A E 322 | 4 |
| A A E 267 | 1 | CALS Biological Science | 3 |
| A A E 320 | 3 | Major Elective Requirement | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 16-18 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| A A E 335 | 2 | A A E 419 | 3 |
| A A E 422 | 3 | CHEM 108 | 5 |
| COMM B | 3 | Humanities | 3-4 |
| Elective | 7 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 14-15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| A A E/ECON 421 | 4 | A A E 500 | 3 |
| CALS International Studies | 3 | Major Elective Requirement | 3 |
| Major Elective Requirement | 3 | Electives | 9 |
| Electives | 6 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 117-123 | |||
Advising and Careers
Advising
Each agricultural business management major receives one-on-one guidance from an academic advisor. The advisor helps students plan their coursework and identify opportunities to get involved in department and campus activities.
The agricultural and applied economics department offers a one-credit course in career development for majors. Students in the course hear from department alumni and others about their career paths and receive resume writing assistance and interviewing tips.
Career Opportunities
Agricultural business management graduates have great careers in management, business analysis, marketing, commodities trading, sales, consulting, banking, and finance. They find positions with agribusiness firms, food companies, tech companies, co-operatives, government agencies, and financial institutions.
Graduates are recognized for their skills in management, leadership, public speaking, sales, marketing, social media, customer service, strategic planning, risk analysis, business process management, and management accounting.
Visit aae.wisc.edu/undergrad/advising for detailed advising information.
People
Professors
Tessa Conroy
Steven Deller
Paul Dower
Sheldon Du
Jeremy Foltz
Dustin Frye
Corbett Grainger
Jeff Hadachek
Rhiannon Jerch
Sarah Johnston
Paul Mitchell
Priya Mukherjee
Charles Nicholson
Dominic Parker
Daniel Phaneuf
Thomas Rutherford
Laura Schechter
Guanming Shi (Chair)
Andrew Stevens
Jordan van Rijn
Eleanor Wiseman
Instructors
Jeremy Beach
Courtney Berner
Silke Schmidt
Jing Yi
Affiliate Faculty
Jason Fletcher
Gisella Kagy
Jennifer Raynor
Christopher Timmins
Undergraduate Advisor
Michaela Thaw
For faculty and instructor profiles, visit the department website.
Wisconsin Experience
Student Organizations
There are numerous campus student organizations of interest to agricultural business management majors, including Alpha Gamma Rho, Association of Women in Agriculture, Collegiate Farm Bureau, and National Agri-Marketing Association. A full list of organizations is available on the Wisconsin Involvement Network website.
Competitive Teams
Students can join the UW–Madison team that participates in the annual CME Group University Trading Challenge. This simulated trading competition pits hundreds of college teams from around the world against one another as they make real-time commodity trading decisions.
Research Experience
Students are able to gain social science research experience on both domestic and international topics by working with a faculty member on a specific project.
Internships
Agricultural business management majors are encouraged to complete an internship during their undergraduate years, and they typically do so during the summer after their sophomore or junior years. Internships allow students to explore career options, gain professional skills, and develop their networks.
Community Engagement and Volunteering
Students have numerous volunteer activities to choose from. The Morgridge Center for Public Service provides resources to help students connect with volunteer opportunities based on their interests and goals.
Global Engagement
ABM majors can choose to study abroad. Students work with their advisor and the CALS study abroad office to identify appropriate programs. More information is available on the CALS study abroad advising page.
Resources and Scholarships
Students in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) receive more than $1.25 million in scholarships annually. The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics awards an average of $60,000 in scholarships per year to students in the department. Students apply for CALS and department scholarships through a single application in the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH). Learn more about college scholarships.
ABM majors are also eligible to apply for the Renk Scholarship Program, which can provide scholarships for up to three years. The program, offered through the Renk Agribusiness Institute, is designed for high-performing students with an interest in agriculture or agribusiness. In addition to financial support, Renk Scholars are provided networking opportunities that help them find internships and other experiences to build their business and leadership skills.