BROOKINGS A South Dakota State University program designed to train the next generation of agricultural innovators and leaders was approved during the recent South Dakota Board of Regents meetings in Brookings.
The global agricultural leadership masters degree program is a condensed, 14-month professional curriculum that will provide students with the background and skills they need to contribute to the vitality of agriculture and to the economic growth of rural communities in South Dakota while enhancing the lives of people worldwide.
Todays complex global agricultural environment requires leaders with not only technical competence but also advanced skills in leadership, communication, global awareness, ethics and agribusiness, Joe Cassady, South Dakota Corn-endowed dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, said. The agriculture industry in South Dakota continues to grow, and with that comes a growth in demand for well-trained agricultural professionals who can serve in leadership positions in agribusiness and associated industry boards throughout the state.
The data supports Cassadys statements. From 2017 to 2022, agriculture saw the largest annualized growth rate of all major economic sectors in South Dakota. Combined with a projected 5.5% growth in agricultural leadership positions nationwide in the next four years, the global agricultural leadership program is primed to help South Dakota, and the agriculture industry as a whole, continue to grow in the future.
The interest in the program is not just numbers. The university has received letters from regional and national companies expressing their support for the program and interest in hiring its graduates. A number of organizations, companies and individuals have taken that support a step further and pledged funds to build the program, highlighting the importance of these skills to industry.
Part of the South Dakota Corn Utilization Councils mission is to benefit corn, corn products and markets through education, and that includes our sectors future agricultural workforce, Danita Murray, executive director of the council, said. This masters program institutionalizes an important pipeline of highly trained employees and will benefit our states corn farmers as it develops.
Two critical components of the program will be applied learning and critical thinking. Students will experience both domestic and international travel to explore varied agricultural practices and markets, allowing them to deepen their understanding of agriculture on global and national scales. Each student will also be required to complete an enhanced internship, where they will not just work for a program partner, but will be brought into leadership meetings and work with industry leaders to connect what they learn in the classroom with real-world experiences.
With approval from the South Dakota Board of Regents, the program will now be submitted to the Higher Learning Commission before its first cohort can begin in May 2026. Twenty students from a wide range of undergraduate programs will be accepted into the masters degree program annually. Previously, the Board of Regents approved an undergraduate certificate of the same name that is currently available for student enrollment. Those interested in learning more about either the masters program or the undergraduate certificate are encouraged to email [email protected] for more information.
Industry support was crucial in the development of this program. Financial commitments have been pledged to support startup costs, travel expenses and student scholarships.
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