For more information on these courses please email Tyler Grunewald at or call 218-894-5141.
To find all agricultural-related online courses throughout Minnesota please visit the Minnesota State Website.
For agriculture-themed lessons for your classroom, please visit MN Ag in the Classroom.
Online Agriculture Programs
Central Lakes College
ANSI 1110 Food Safety: From Farm to Fork
This course is a producer and consumer-oriented introduction to food safety and food safety risks associated with the agrifood industry. Topics of study will include zoonotic and food-borne pathogens, chemicals, toxins and drug residues, biosecurity, current technology, consumer perceptions and regulatory agencies responsible for overseeing food safety in the industry.
Viticulture AAS or Certificate
Vineyard managers oversee the growing and care of grapes. They develop a system of grape management that is appropriate for each vineyard. They decide how to manage planting, fertility, harvesting and pruning. They are heavily involved in varietal selection, site preparation, equipment maintenance and safety, first season establishment, vine growth development, trellis systems and pruning. They also are involved in pest management, soil quality and the overall impact on the environment.
Enology AAS or Certificate
Enologists oversee the production of wine. They inspect grapes and evaluate the crops to determine when to harvest and start wine production. They ensure proper crushing methods and techniques. Responsibilities depend on the size of the winery. The enologist is heavily involved in quality control. One may work with a laboratory technician if employed by a larger winery. Another may develop new wines or specialize in a specific wine in a larger winery.
To enroll in Viticulture or Enology programs please visit vesta.org.
Environmental Studies
This course investigates the psychology of environmental problems as an interdisciplinary blend of psychology and environmental science by viewing current environmental issues through eight major psychological approach lenses. This course facilitates the student’s understanding of how human consciousness and behavior contribute to and result from environmental threats. Learners will investigate how humans can choose to live in a manner that will ensure a sustainable future and how humanity is related to nature in terms of global interdependence as well as how agriculturists can produce food.
Online Agriculture Programs/Courses
Ridgewater College
This certificate program is completely online and focuses on poultry nutrition, feeds and feeding, mechanical and natural ventilation, as well as disease control.
AGRI 2180 Ag Machinery Management
This course introduces the framework for understanding global positioning systems and related components. Topics include precision farming, positioning systems, yield monitoring, GIS systems, and variable rate technologies. This course should be taken prior to other courses related to GPS/GIS technology.
AGRI 1771 Intro Precision Ag
Water management will be taught as it relates to irrigation, drainage, and wetland conservation. Information presented will cover government regulations, water-scheduling, economics, and water, soil, plant interactions.
AGRI 1660 Introduction to Agronomy
This course is an introduction to basic agronomy and covers the plant growth and development of monocot and dicot plants. Students will learn the basic plant anatomy and growth stages, methods of plant reproduction and seed production, plant response to weather and other environmental factors.
Northland Community & Technical College
AGRG 1100 Intro to Agriculture
Students will learn and understand different facets of the food, fiber and environmental system in the field of Agriculture. Students will explore the food, fiber and services of the agriculture community at the local, state, national and world wide levels.
Riverland Community College
AGBS-2000; Introduction To Agribusiness Management
This course provides students with a foundation in agribusiness management. Employers desire a combination of technical and business management skills in potential employees. This course includes the study of critical agribusiness skills and their application in the agribusiness industry.
AGSC-1010; Introduction to Agronomy
This course provides an orientation into the profession of agricultural sciences. Combining theoretical and practical knowledge, students investigate plants, the principles and practices of crop production and management, precision farming, sustainability, biotechnology, marketing and sales related to agriculture. A special emphasis on real-world, innovative problem solving will provide students with a background to further specialize in producing and improving food crops. Important current societal issues related to modern agriculture are discussed throughout.
