skip to main content
Heartland Community College

Associate in Applied Science - Agriculture

60 credit hours

Catalog Year 2026-2027

 

The Associate of Applied Science degree is designed to give students a broad overview of the agricultural field, with an emphasis on regenerative agriculture. Students will combine general education and agriculture core classes with hands-on experience from one of three specialized occupational certificates in Agriculture Business, Agronomy, or Precision Agriculture to further hone their skills and knowledge in their preferred career pathway.

Upon completion of the AAS in Agriculture, students will also have completed at least one additional occupational certificate; and will be prepared for employment in positions including chemical applicator, purchasing analyst, herdsman, crop adjuster, sales associate, production manager, and more.  

General Education Requirements

Class Title Credit Hours
COMM 101 Introduction to Oral Communication 3
ENGL 101 or ENGL 105 Critical Reading & Writing or Writing for Industry 3
Mathematics Any college-level Mathematics course or TMAT 103 3-4
Life Science or Physical Science

Any one IAI Life Science or Physical Science course

BIOL 131, BIOL 132, CHEM 120 or EASC 111 recommended

3-4
Humanities or Fine Arts

Any one IAI Humanities or Fine Arts course.

PHIL 114 recommended

3
Total Credit Hours 15-17

Agriculture Core Requirements

Class Title Credit Hours
AGRI 102 Agriculture Safety 1
AGRI 103 or BTEC 145 Agricultural Employment or Employment Success Strategies 1
AGRI 104 Computer Technology in Agriculture 3
AGRI 110 Introductory Agricultural Economics 3
AGRI 150 Principles of Agronomy 4
AGRI 157 Introductory Soil Science 4
AGRI 170 Intro to Animal Science 4
AGRI 299 or TECH 299 Agriculture Internship 2
Emphasis Option

Choose at least one emphasis option to complete requirements:

  • Agriculture Business
  • Agronomy
  • Cannabis Cultivation
  • Precision Agriculture
  • Regenerative Agriculture
23
Total Credit Hours 45

Agriculture Business Option (23 Credit Hours Needed)

Students choosing this emphasis option will also earn the Agriculture Business certificate.

Course Title Credit Hours
ATEC 120 or ACCT 200 Accounting Fundamentals or Financial Accounting 3 or 4
AGRI 111 or BUSN 230 Marketing Agriculture Products or Principles of Marketing 3
AGRI 112 or BTEC 250 Farm Management or Small Business Management 3
Electives

Choose 13-14 hours from approved elective list below and/or complete another emphasis option

13-14

Agronomy Option (23 Credit Hours Needed)

Students choosing this empasis option will also earn the Agronomy certificate. 

Course Title Credit Hours
AGRI 153 Pest Management 3
AGRI 154 Agronomic Field Applications 4
AGRI 160 Introduction to Precision Agriculture 3
Electives

Choose 13 hours from approved elective list below and/or complete another emphasis option

13

Cannabis Cultivation Option (23 Credit Hours Needed)

Students choosing this emphasis option will also earn the Cannabis Cultivation certificate.

Course Title Credit Hours
AGRI 120 Introductory Horticulture 3
AGRI 140 Introduction to Cannabis 3
AGRI 141  Cannabis Regulatory Compliance 3
AGRI 142 Cannabis Cultivation 4
BTEC 150 Customer Relations 1
Electives

Choose 9 hours from approved elective list below and/or complete another emphasis option

9

Precision Agriculture (23 Credit Hours Needed)

Students choosing this emphasis option will also earn the Precision Agriculture certificate.

Course Title Credit Hours
AGRI 160 Introduction to Precision Agriculture 3
AGRI 163 UAS Certification and Operations in Agriculture 3
Precision Electives Choose from the following elective options:
5
Electives

Choose 12 hours from approved elective list below and/or complete another emphasis option

12

Regenerative Agriculture Option (23 Credit Hours Needed)

Students choosing this emphasis option will also earn the Regenerative Agriculture certificate.

Course Title Credit Hours
AGRI 180 Principles of Regenerative Agriculture 3
Regenerative Electives Choose from the following elective options:
3
Electives

Choose 17 hours from approved elective list below and/or complete another emphasis option

17

Elective Course List

Choose from this list to complete your emphasis option requirements. You may also choose to complete an additional emphasis option to complete another certificate.

Electives

Contact Us

AMC 1600
Phone: (309) 268-8860
Email: Agriculture Department

Adam Campbell

Dean, Career and Technical Education
AMC 1607
Phone: (309) 268-8895
Email: Adam.Campbell@heartland.edu

Kortney Watts

Associate Dean, Career and Technical Education
AMC 1611
Phone: (309) 268-8758
Email: Kortney.Watts@heartland.edu

Bailey Rogers

Associate Director, Agriculture
AGC 1103
Phone: (309) 268-6711
Email: Bailey.Rogers@heartland.edu

Miranda Buss

Program Coordinator, Agriculture
Phone: (309) 268-8586
Email: Miranda.Buss@heartland.edu