Department of Agriculture

Joey Bray, chair
Agriculture Building, Room 101
Phone: (936) 468-3705
Fax: (936) 468-4047
P.O. Box 13000, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962
Email: jbray@sfasu.edu
Web: ag.sfasu.edu

Faculty

Professor Emeritus
David Creech, Dale Perritt

Professors
Joey Bray, Erin Brown, Michael Maurer, Craig Morton

Associate Professors
Jared Barnes, Stephanie Jones, John Michael Mehaffey, Leland C. Thompson

Assistant Professors
Candis Carraway, Frantisek Majs

Lecturer
Emily Payne

Objectives

The Department of Agriculture seeks to provide a dynamic, intellectual community primarily for the purpose of fostering academic learning and professional growth for its students. A focus on effective teaching, research and service provides opportunities to:

• develop critical thinking skills needed to compete in the diverse industry of agriculture
• develop effective communication skills
• and collaborate effectively within educational, cultural, economic and professional environments in order to disseminate new and existing knowledge to agriculture’s stakeholders.

Instructional and research facilities such as the Walter C. Todd Agricultural Research Center, which includes the Beef Center, Broiler Research Center, Equine Center, Poultry Research Center, and Swine Center, in addition to the Plantery and Sprout Garden, SFA Soil, Plant and Water Analysis Laboratory, and SFA Gardens, provide opportunities for hands-on instruction.

Definition of Major Concentrations

Agribusiness
The area of agribusiness involves the manufacture and distribution of agricultural supplies; production operations on the farm; and the storage, processing and distribution of farm commodities. The study of agribusiness focuses on integrating technical knowledge with economic theory for decision making concerning the use of scarce productive resources to produce food and fiber for distribution to society.

Agricultural Communications
Agricultural communications is a combination of agriculture and communication courses designed to prepare students to become advocates of and effective communicators for the agriculture industry. Students will develop skills in writing, photojournalism, public relations, web and social media content, and other forms of media as they relate to modern agricultural industries.

Agricultural Development
Agricultural development is a course of study designed to prepare the student for a career in teaching, extension or with agricultural service agencies whose purpose is to disseminate information related to the industry of agriculture. Special emphasis will be placed on communication skills and effective teaching strategies.

Agricultural Engineering Technology
Agricultural machinery is a course of study designed to prepare the student for a career in the management of agricultural systems, including the design and marketing of agricultural machinery, agricultural structures and agricultural environments.

Animal Science
The field of animal science provides exciting and challenging opportunities for graduates desiring to pursue careers in animal production, animal health or health services, feed formulation and manufacturing, processing/further processing and the marketing of animals and animal products. Specialty areas include beef cattle science, poultry science, swine production, equine science and pre-veterinary medicine.

Equine Science

Equine science is a specialization of animal science that prepares graduates for a career in the equine industry. The curriculum focuses on equine production, equitation, health and nutrition.

Horticulture
Horticulture is the science, business and art of growing and marketing fruits, vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants. Horticulture includes site planning and preparation, seed and vegetative propagation, plant growth and development, harvest, distribution, marketing, utilization and human issues associated with a wide diversity of crops for nutrition, beauty and utility.

Poultry Science
Poultry science is a course of study designed to prepare the student for a challenging career in the poultry industry. The curriculum includes all aspects of live production, waste management, computer technology, nutrition and product processing. Upon completion of the course requirements, a student will be prepared for entry-level management positions within the industry.

Pre-veterinary

The pre-veterinary course of study is designed to help prepare graduates to become veterinarians. The degree plan includes all prerequisite courses required to apply for entrance into a school of veterinary medicine, all while focusing on the field of animal science.

Definition of Minors (18-21 Hours)

Students desiring a minor in any of the above majors are required to complete 18 to 21 hours in agriculture with at least 12 hours having the course prefix of the minor area. Six hours must be advanced.

Agricultural Internship

The internship program in agriculture may be used by qualified majors in agriculture. It is designed to strengthen the major and provide a stronger base of employment. The internship consists of spending one regular semester in a full-time, on-the-job, prescribed training program in an agricultural or related business. Twelve hours credit may be earned for a 15- to 16-week internship in the regular semester and eight hours credit for a 10- to 11-week internship during the summer. A one-summer term internship will be awarded four credit hours. Applicants for this program should initiate inquiry with their academic advisor regarding their eligibility no later than the beginning of their first junior semester. Application should be made at least one semester prior to internship. The internship may be used for agriculture electives but not for major courses.

Programs

• General Agriculture, BSAG

• Agriculture Minor