Agricultural Business, Leadership, and Education

Cultivate Leadership Skills for a Thriving Agricultural Career

Student inspecting plants.

Program Overview

Envision starting your journey in agricultural business at College of Western Idaho (CWI), where your educational path is our priority. The Agricultural Business, Leadership, and Education program is a unique blend of agriculture and business, tailored to nurture your aspirations. Here, you will learn about the ever-evolving agricultural industry, leadership, and education, preparing you for a multitude of roles within this vital sector.

At CWI, we offer more than just courses; we provide an experience that shapes your future. With small classes and attentive instructors, you receive the attention and support you need to thrive. This program is your first step toward higher education, giving you a competitive edge whether you plan to pursue a bachelor's degree or advance further. Students who begin at CWI often find greater success in their ongoing educational journeys, and our program is designed to ensure you are part of this success story.

Degree or Certificate Type

Associate of Arts

Cost

$8,809

Additional cost may apply.

Time to Complete

2 years

Coming Soon

Construction of a 40-acre site dedicated to the College's expanding Horticulture and Agricultural Science programs is well underway! With estimated completion planned for Summer 2025, the expansion will offer modern learning spaces including flex classrooms, greenhouses, a barn and working farm, experimental labs, and more.

Learn More

Looking down onto a person testing samples in a lab

Learning Opportunities

  • Agricultural Business Insights: Gain comprehensive knowledge in agricultural business and leadership.
  • Hands-On Experience: Apply your learning in real agricultural settings.
  • Leadership Development: Cultivate leadership skills relevant to the agricultural industry.
  • Pathway to Higher Education: Build a foundation for advanced degrees in agriculture-related fields.
  • Personalized Support: Benefit from CWI’s small class sizes and dedicated faculty.

Area of Study

Degrees & Certificates

Agriculture Business, Leadership, and Education – Associate of Arts Degree

2

YEARS

AA

A man in a cowboy hat standing in a field

Career Opportunities

  • Postsecondary Teachers

    1434

    Annual Openings*

    $35.69

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $74,235

    Annual Median Salary

    45.6%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

    Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

    1080

    Annual Openings*

    $17.94

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $37,315

    Annual Median Salary

    0.29%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

  • First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

    Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

    122

    Annual Openings*

    $21.95

    Hourly Median Wage*

    $45,656

    Annual Median Salary

    2.77%

    Growth (2021 – 2031)*

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*Data sourced from Lightcast™ (2023), a global leader in labor market analytics, and limited to the state of Idaho. Contact CWI Institutional Research for questions regarding this data. Career pathways may require further education beyond CWI.

“This program is tough and requires a lot of work, but I believe it is one of the greatest fields to get into. I found my true calling late, but at least I found it.” Read more > about Reaping the Benefits of a Student’s Generosity
Stuart Tice
Student, Agriculture Science

Admissions

Step 1

  • Apply to CWI.
  • Choose Agricultural Business, Leadership, and Education as your major.

Step 2

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Academic CalendarNew Student Checklist

News

The 2024 Farm to Fork dinner raised more than $6,000 for the garden, which provides CWI students access to fresh produce and supports agriculture coursework.

Read more about Farm to Fork Dinner Raises $6000 for the Campus Garden

Tickets for Farm to Fork, a dinner hosted by College of Western Idaho Agriculture Science faculty and students, are on sale on now!

Read more about Farm to Fork 2024 is Sold Out

Eighty people from across the College and around the Treasure Valley devoured a tasty, five-course meal on campus Friday, Oct. 6, to support CWI's Campus Garden.

Read more about Farm to Fork Dinner Raises $5,000 for the Campus Garden

The Campus Garden provides a valuable resource to the CWI community, from educating students about agriculture best practices to helping feed those who suffer from food insecurity.

Read more about Campus Garden Supporting Students and Their Success

Tickets for 2023 Farm to Fork, a dinner hosted by College of Western Idaho Agriculture Science faculty and students, have sold out!

Read more about 2023 Farm to Fork Tickets Sold Out!

College of Western Idaho took over Memorial Stadium in a BOLD way Thursday night during CWI Night at the Hawks raising more than $1,000 for scholarships.

Read more about SCORE Big Hits It Out of the Park

Congratulations to Andrea Schumaker, College of Western Idaho’s Faculty of Distinction for November 2020.

Read more about Faculty of Distinction – November 2020

Experience a true farm to fork meal from the comfort of your own home featuring produce grown in CWI's campus garden.

Read more about 2020 Farm to Fork Dinner

Farm to Fork Dinner was a tremendous success raising more than $4,000 for the campus garden.

Read more about Culinary Exploration of the Treasure Valley

Farm to Fork, a five-course dinner hosted by CWI agriculture faculty and students, is only a week away!

Read more about Farm to Fork Dinner

College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs are excited to share new episodes of the video blog series, Science is a Verb. CWI faculty share some...

Read more about Science is a Verb: Detecting Touch

CWI Agriculture Science major Stuart Tice is being rewarded thanks to a generous donation from a fellow student.

Read more about Reaping the Benefits of a Student’s Generosity
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