The Kent State Tuscarawas Campus introduced a new major specific to the campus for students to begin enrolling in this year.

This Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness was a five-year development process that now allows students to study the area and business of agriculture. The university is one of few campuses in the state that offer the program. Others include the Ohio State University Agricultural Technological Institute and Wilmington College.

Assisted by a newly developed Agribusiness Advisory Board, the degree was formulated by the university’s New Program Development Committee. The board was comprised of farmers, agricultural agencies and agricultural business owners from the community.

David Baird, an account executive director for the Ohio United States Department of Agriculture for Tuscarawas and Carroll counties, was a member of the board that helped develop the degree. He said the program was initiated because of the changing world of agriculture.

“This degree was not designed just for farm kids to take and return home to the family farm,” Baird said. “It was designed to prepare students for a career in the many varied aspects of agriculture from sales, finance, management, public service to technology related fields.”

The degree focuses on problem-solving skills and combines technical aspects of agriculture and food systems. Students are required to take up to 14 agribusiness courses and business courses with 120 credit hours, according to officials from the university.

Students majoring in the degree will be skilled and prepared to work in a number of fields, including careers in farm management, agricultural production and agribusiness sales management.

Miranda Simon graduated with a degree in agriculture business at The Ohio State University ATI and now serves as the Calf Specialist at Agland Country Store in New Philadelphia. She believes the new degree is a great step for the community.

“Agriculture is a vital part of our community and students have very few options locally to obtain an agriculture degree,” Simon said. “Agriculture is constantly changing between technology and a younger generation coming on board on the farm. If we have graduates in our area that embrace new technology and understand agribusiness, it will only help our area prosper.”

Simon said that obtaining her career in agribusiness is one of the best choices she’s made.

“I love the area that I came from and the path I chose for my career,” Simon said. “There is not a smarter, stronger working community in my opinion, but I’m a little biased.”

To learn more about the program call the KSU Tuscarawas Admissions office at 330-339-3391.