Pathway: Agriculture & Equine

Interested in careers related to agriculture, food or natural resources?

Students in the Agriculture & Equine Pathway can explore many industry opportunities related to plants and food production, business and technical skills, as well as raising and training animals.

Ag instructor on a horse in the LCCC arena talking to potential students in a line on the right with two students on horses on the left.

LCCC agriculture students listen to a USDA biologist during class at the High Plains Research Center

Agriculture & Equine Program

The Agriculture & Equine Program is designed for students who wish to explore and prepare for a wide range of careers in the fields of agriculture and equine. Students will learn about livestock and horses, facility management, and business management. Students may participate in industry field trips as well as livestock show team, livestock judging team, ranch horse team, Block & Bridle Club, Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Team and rodeo team.

The Pathway Program is a great option for students who want a broad understanding of this area, those who intend to continue their education at a four-year institution, as well as those who are unsure which Ag & Equine program is best for them. Students can easily transfer into a specific Ag & Equine program after starting here.

woman with tablet and cow outside

Agricultural Business Program

Students in LCCC's Agricultural Business Program learn about animal care, sustainable practices, accounting and business management. The program allows students to study in LCCC’s state-of-the-art facilities and get hands on experience with livestock.

The program is intended for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to continue their education. Graduates may work as agricultural managers, agricultural communications, agricultural finance, commodity merchandising, equipment sales and financing and agriculture lending.

students taking notes in class in a semi circle around cow

Animal Science Program

The Animal Science Program provides in-depth knowledge about animal health, behavior and production. Students in LCCC's Animal Science program learn about biology, chemistry, range management, business management, soils and animal feeds. The program also allows students to study in LCCC’s state-of-the-art facilities and get hands on experience with livestock.

The program is intended for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to continue their education. Graduates may work as agricultural scientists, ranch managers, extension educators, food scientists, meat inspectors and researchers.

Emerging Agriculture Technology Program

The Emerging Agriculture Technology (EAT) Program is designed to give students exposure to the wide variety of technologies driving the future of agriculture. Students in this program will focus on solving problems in the industry using technology. EAT includes courses that provide broad exposure to issues, technologies and industries in the region as well as an opportunity to select an area of emphasis in which to further their studies.

Graduates may be employed in precision farm management, agriculture technology sales, planning and performance data analysis, or livestock monitoring implementation. Graduates are also well suited for transfer to a Bachelor of Applied Science program.

faculty talking about horse health with students and horse

Equine Management Program

Management of equine facilities is critical to the success of businesses in areas such as horse boarding, training and recreation. LCCC's equine program is hands-on, teaching students practical skills including equine growth, training, reproduction and nutrition. This program includes an equine internship.

After two semesters, this program prepares graduates to work managing a horse boarding, training or recreation facility.

female students out in a field taking measurements

Natural Resource Management Program

A Natural Resource Manager works to protect wildlife, plants, water and/or soil in an area. Students in this program learn about animal science, agroecology, chemistry, geology, soils, range management as well as complete a research capstone project.

The program is intended for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution to continue their education. Graduates may work as conservation specialist, extension educator, field researcher, forest/rangeland/wildlife ecologist and land-use planner.

students taking notes in class with cow and instructor

Ranch Management Program

Students in LCCC's Ranch Management Program (formerly the Agriculture Production Technology Program) learn about areas such as animal care and breeding, crop and soil science and participate in an agricultural internship. The program also allows students to study in LCCC’s state-of-the-art facilities and get hands-on experience with livestock.

This program prepares students to immediately enter the agriculture workforce as an employee or entrepreneur in livestock and/or crop production.