AGEDS 450 is the capstone course for Agricultural Studies majors within the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies. Other agricultural students frequently enroll in the course to gain hands-on experience in farm management and operations. Classroom lectures and discussions continue to emphasize the application of production skills learned in other courses, risk management strategies, financial management, cash flow, alternative leasing agreements, and problem-solving in solving strategic issues related to the farm. There are roughly 120 students enrolled each year.
2024 Class Committees
- The buildings and grounds committee collaborates with the farm operator to coordinate the construction, operation, maintenance, repair, and records for the buildings and grounds on the farm.
- The crops committee maintains a monthly crop inventory, manages stored grain, crop enterprise, plans the cropping system, monitors grain markets, and reports to the class on a weekly basis.
- The customs and swine committee is responsible for marketing swine through support of swine integrator, Cactus Family Farms. The committee is also responsible for overseeing the custom farming acres.
- The machinery committee acquires, repairs, maintains, and keeps machinery records, and uses of all farm machinery.
- The finance and marketing committee develops and monitors the farm budget including cash flow and year-end financial summaries. They are also responsible for watching the grain markets and events that may impact the markets, developing a sound marketing strategy, and executing marketing contracts.
- The public relations committee promotes the farm by helping with tours, farm events, website updates, and communicating with internal and external audiences.