30 Credits CERT3117, Academic Catalog 2025-2026
Resources
The Ag Chemical Applicator Technician Program will provide hands-on training in all areas of agriculture, including crops, soil, fertilizers, equipment operation and maintenance and agribusiness sales and management. Participants will gain proficiency with ultra-modern, high-tech chemical application equipment. Extensive use will be made of community-based resources to help provide private employment experience for students
Certificate Core Competencies
1. Demonstrate effective participation on an agribusiness team
2. Perform maintenance and operate agribusiness industry equipment
3. Perform agribusiness industry computer functions
4. Promote and sell agricultural services and products
5. Develop and maintain agribusiness records systems
6. Demonstrate application of agricultural inputs
Campus: North Mankato
Program Start Semesters: Fall and Spring
Base estimate for 30 credit program
Tuition is paid on a semester by semester basis and will vary depending on the courses and total credits you take.
Tuition and Fees: $6,434
Tools and Equipment: $ n/a
Total Estimated Cost: $6,434 *
Compare the costs and you'll see that tuition at South Central College is much more affordable than other institutions.
*Based on 2025-2026 tuition and fees rates. Does not include extra expenses for online delivery, course fees, or course differential. Books, transportation, and living expenses also not included.
The course requirements listed below are specific to the current school year (noted above). If you need to view the program from previous years view our Catalog Archive.
Required Technical Courses (12 Courses)
Complete the following courses:
AGBS1100 Agricultural Selling Skills (3 credits)
This course covers the basic and advanced principles and techniques used in selling agricultural merchandise and services. Agricultural Sales has taken on increased importance in recent years. The introduction of new products and services has magnified the need for technically competent knowledgeable sales personnel. Role-playing and advanced, in-depth sales presentations will be done in class. Students will also be required to make an industry visit and write appropriate letters. (Prerequisites: None)
AGBS2015 Commercial Driver's License (1 credits)
Students prepare for the Commercial Motor Vehicles General Knowledge (written) Test, related required Endorsements (written) Test(s), related optional Endorsements (written) Test(s), and the Pre-Trip Inspection (skills) Examination. The goal in this course is to obtain a MN Class A CDL permit. (Prerequisites: 18 years of age and a valid MN Class D driver's license).
AGRI1850 Employer/Employee Relations (3 credits)
This course covers the principles of supervision and the factors of supervision as they relate to the goals of the business. Supervision problems with practical solutions will be emphasized. Personnel management techniques including determine personnel needs, finding and recruiting people, performance appraisals, training, promotions, legal issues, stress control and terminations will be included. Students will develop an employment portfolio. (Prerequisites: None)
AGRI2700 Agricultural Technology Seminar (2 credits)
This seminar will provide students the opportunity to self-direct studies in agricultural technology in their areas of interest. Technologies to be considered could include but, are not limited to, plant protection, precision farming, application industries, livestock equipment, bio-technologies, financial resource management, sustainable agriculture, environmental impacts of agriculture, agricultural workforce, and agricultural production. Some organized events will be part of this course. The major emphasis will be self-directed learning. (AGEC 2400 or Instructor Permission)
AGRI2780 Agribusiness Internship (1 - 9 credits)
This course is a cooperative educational program between the student, faculty and the internship site/business. Students will apply competencies gained from previous coursework into an agribusiness industry workplace. Specific tasks to be completed by the student and will be identified in an individual training plan developed by the student, faculty and internship supervisor. Each training plan is specific to the individual student and business enterprise where the student is employed. (Prerequisite: Instructor Permission)
MEAG1700 Agricultural Industry Machinery Maintenance (3 credits)
This course covers theory and service competencies necessary to maintain small engines, gasoline-powered vehicles, and diesel-powered vehicles. Students will gain an awareness of equipment maintenance programs. The course includes field trips and instruction in maintaining equipment found in feed mills, fertilizer plants, and grain elevators. The course will also cover tillage, crop protection and planting equipment. Students will learn all component parts and proper adjustment of the particular units. Machine adjustment maybe accomplished on demonstration units, operator manual examples or on actual industry equipment. The course will also cover chemical, fertilizer, pesticide handling considerations. (Prerequisites: None)
PLSC1100 Soils I (3 credits)
This course has a lecture and a lab component. Areas of study will include the physical properties, chemical properties, biological properties, soil formation, classification, essential nutrient and soil survey. There will be emphasis on soil and water conservation and practices that can be used to reduce soil erosion. Evaluations of soil samples will be conducted in the agribusiness lab and in the field. (Prerequisites: None)
PLSC1200 Soils II (3 credits)
This course covers both the technical and practical information that should be of assistance to a student who would farm or go into the fertilizer business. The course deals with the basic soil-plant relationships and the effects of fertility. Detailed information on fertilizer materials and the information of test results will also be covered. Students will put into practice many of the cropping practices that are required by someone pursuing a career in the fertilizer and/or chemical field. Students will determine the proper rates and application methods. (Prerequisites: PLSC 1100)
PLSC1205 Precision Agriculture (3 credits)
This course covers the basics of precision agriculture high-tech equipment and strategies. Students will gain an understanding of the hardware, software, and management strategies of precision agriculture. Areas of study will include Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), remote sensing, differential correction, yield monitoring, and grid mapping. (Prerequisite: None)
PLSC1300 Agronomy I (2 credits)
This course covers agronomy principles for midwest crops. The course covers basic components of plant growth, seed quality, plant parts, plant growth and development, plant classification, maturity systems and seeding rates. Corn and soybean production will be major crops of consideration. (Prerequisites: None)
PLSC1400 Agronomy II (3 credits)
This course considers the characteristics and identification of noxious and common weeds and weed seeds, methods of control, evaluation of herbicide performance and tolerance to herbicides. Topics on herbicide characteristics, formulations and application methods will be taken into account in determining the most economic method of weed control. (Prerequisite: PLSC 1300)
SGAG1000 Ag Orientation (1 credits)
Students will become oriented to the careers in agriculture related to the specific filed they plan to enter. Completion of interviews of industry professionals will be required and students will need to write a career plan relating to the path they have been oriented. (Prerequisite: None)
Elective Courses (Suggested)
These courses are not required but are suggested as courses which may be beneficial to you in this career field. You will graduate from this program even if you do not complete these courses.
AGBS2990 International Field Study (3 credits)
This international field study seminar introduces students to agricultural, food, and natural resource systems of other countries of the world. The course consists of two major components: a series of pre- and/or post-departure workshops and an in-depth short-term structured international experience within a host country or countries. Students gain global perspective through exposure to international history, cultures, and socio-economic situations of the country or countries visited. Students explore, compare, and contrast food, fiber, and fuel systems of the country or countries visited. (Prerequisites: None)
AGBS2995 Individualized Study/Special Problems (1 - 6 credits)
This course allows the student to pursue special projects or areas of interest. The number of credits must be agreed upon by advisor/advisee prior to registration. (Prerequisites: Successful completion of two semesters of training or by special arrangement)
AGEC1100 Introduction to Agricultural Economics (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to agricultural economics. Economic concepts of the food, fiber, and fuel industry will be explored though problem solving exercises and graphical analysis. Consumer and business behavior will be analyzed under various market and regulatory conditions, with major focus spent on determining changes to equilibrium of aggregate supply and demand curves. Both microeconomic and macroeconomic factors will be defined and discussed in relation to global and local agribusiness value chains, including many factors affecting farmers in the American Midwest. (Prerequisite: None)
PLSC1105 Forages and Pasture Management (2 credits)
This course includes the study of the management and production of small grains and forages. Subject areas will include varietal selection, planting, calculating yields, production costs, growth management, harvesting techniques and marketing techniques. The forage management will focus on alfalfa production, emphasis on establishment, winter survival, fertilization, cutting management and variety selection. (Prerequisites: None)
PLSC2100 Agronomy Lab (2 credits)
This course covers the determination of grain quality, proper storage and handling. Laboratory exercises will be run on grain samples and student's home grains. Grain drying systems will be explained with advantages and disadvantages of each system identified. This course covers commercial grain grading practices including seed identification and grain grading. The course will also cover state grain marketing procedures and an introduction to USDA standards for corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, barley and sunflowers. (Prerequisite: None)
PLSC2700 Advanced Agronomy (3 credits)
This course includes units of instruction on management practices in the production of corn & soybeans, the economic and environmental aspects of soil damage systems, nutrient management recommendations for nitrogen and phosphorus, and current topics in the agronomy field. Classes will include speakers from the agricultural industry to address the current topics. The lab portion of the course will include grading corn and soybean samples as well on labs as plant genetics.(Prerequisites: PLSC 1300 and PLSC 1400)
PLEASE NOTE: All program plans are preliminary and curriculum may change without notice. Your catalog of record may have different requirements.
