Agriculture is both the theoretical study and practical application of farming, such as the cultivation of cereals. Following inventions and innovations ranging from the seed drill to fertilizing crops by drone, the past few centuries have seen farming become a science. In the United States, as an example, technological developments have seen the percentage of the population in the farming industry decrease from 69 per cent in 1840 to 4 per cent in 2000.

Agricultural Engineering is the area of engineering concerned with the design, construction and improvement of farming equipment and machinery. Agricultural engineers integrate technology with farming. For example, they design new and improved farming equipment that may work more efficiently, or perform new tasks. They design and build agricultural infrastructure such as dams, water reservoirs, warehouses, and other structures. They may also help engineer solutions for pollution control at large farms. Some agricultural engineers are developing new forms of bio fuels from non-food resources like algae and agricultural waste. Such fuels could economically and sustainably replace gasoline without jeopardizing the food supply.

Agricultural engineering degrees prepare students to work professionally in the many fields of agriculture. Subsets of the studies belonging to the classification of agriculture offer unlimited opportunities for involvement in this field. The demand for Agricultural Engineers has grown over the last 10 years. Degrees in agricultural engineering cover all aspects of the industry, from water and waste issues, massive farming of foods and livestock, water farming, farming equipment, and farm economics to genetically designed corn and cows.

The Bachelor of Science is the first degree to obtain. Earning a degree gives students textbook knowledge and hands-on vision of their chosen field. Fieldwork and laboratory projects combined with actual practice provide a well-rounded education. While majoring in agricultural engineering, a student can minor is any other field. Often students will minor in a related subject such as economics, to enhance their food engineering major, for example, Graduate students are eligible to pursue a number of advanced degrees, including the Master of Science, Master of Engineering, Master of Agriculture, Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Engineering. These students can major in bioacoustics, biomaterials science, bioprocess engineering, environmental and natural resource engineering, food engineering; food, feed and fiber processing; machine and energy systems; and systems analysis.

With a shortage of skills in the agricultural industry, an agricultural degree will make you an indispensable employee in many major corporations. Secure a position as an Engineering Technologist, Agricultural Engineer, Technical Officer or Sales and Support Consultant and work in a challenging, but influential area of the engineering world.