Applications for the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation Agricultural Graduate School Scholarship are now available online. The scholarship is available for South Dakota residents seeking a graduate degree in agriculture business, agriculture education, animal science or research at an in-state university. For those interested in applying for the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation Agricultural Graduate School Scholarship, the application deadline is Dec. 15.

This scholarship was created to promote South Dakota’s agriculture industry by keeping skilled individuals in the state.

“Education is our future,” said SDFU President Doug Sombke “This scholarship is one way Farmers Union works to help retain highly skilled individuals in South Dakota.”

Seeking an advanced degree in agricultural science can be a smart decision for individuals interested in the agriculture industry. Although many jobs are available for people with a bachelor’s degree, a majority of careers require a master’s degree, especially jobs with higher wages.

Why should you pursue a master’s degree in agricultural science?
A graduate education in agricultural or animal science places more emphasis on lab work and self-guided research than a typical baccalaureate degree does. Grad students can perform original experiments, oversee undergraduate students and focus their studies on their respective specializations.

Graduate programs in agricultural economics provide knowledge on economic principles and policy analysis, which can be implemented to solve economic problems facing the agriculture industry. This specialty is offered at various credible universities, including Louisiana State University, Rutgers University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Purdue University, among many others.

Master’s degrees in agricultural engineering are designed to enhance students’ skills in problem-solving and mechanisms in the agricultural market. Texas A&M University, Pennsylvania State University and Colorado State University are a handful of institutions that offer this major.

Grad programs in animal science focus on animal genetics and nutrition, as well as meat science, with the potential to specialize in veterinary medicine, food safety or animal breeding. Auburn University, South Dakota State University, University of Georgia, University of Vermont and Washington State University offer advanced degrees in animal science.

Many students enroll in online master’s degrees in agricultural sciences. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, North Carolina State University, Oklahoma State University and Southern Arkansas University offer distance learning options for people researching grad schools for agriculture.

What can you do with an advanced degree in agricultural science?
There is a need for individuals working in agriculture. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a projected job growth of 6 percent for economists, 7 percent for agricultural and food scientists and 8 percent for agricultural engineers through 2026. In each of these careers, a master’s degree is required or highly encouraged.