truck spraying  field.

Basic Agriculture Certificate

The Basic Agriculture Certificate trains graduates for entry-level positions in the agriculture, food and natural resources areas as represented in the agriculture career cluster pathway.

Sandburg also offers a variety of transferable agriculture courses for students planning to transfer to a four-year institution, as well as a transfer agreement with the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES). If you're planning to transfer to another institution, establish communication with your desired institution to determine course equivalencies prior to registering for classes. 

Admission requirements

The Basic Agriculture Certificate is an open-enrollment program, meaning there is no criteria students must meet to be admitted. If you're interested in enrolling in the Basic Agriculture Certificate program, complete our steps to enroll, which includes completing the free application for admission.

We encourage all prospective students to visit campus. We have several Explore Sandburg open houses throughout the year, or you can schedule a campus visit at your convenience.

Career and technical programs/courses are offered without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or status in any group protected by applicable federal, state or local law. For more information, contact the Title IX coordinator at 309.341.5258 or the ADA/504 coordinator at 309.341.5262.

For additional information contact:

Welcome Center
309.345.3500
welcomecenter@sandburg.edu

Employment

The Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows little shift in employment for agricultural workers from now to 2028. An increase of 10% job growth is expected for agricultural equipment operators. The overall job growth for agricultural workers including farm-workers, laborers and agricultural equipment operators is good because workers often leave the occupation due to strenuous work. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020).

 
Careers

Farm and ranch managers 

Farm-workers and laborers, crop

Buyers and purchasing agents, farm products

Graduates who transfer to a four-year institution go on to pursue careers in fields such as:

In your area, people working as

 

typically make

 

Learn more

Sample course schedule for the Basic Agriculture Certificate program

View the sample Schedule for the Basic Agriculture Certificate 

See Academic Advisor, Jennifer Johnson, for an updated schedule. 

 

Program format

The Basic Agriculture Certificate program offers both online and face-to-face class options; however, the program cannot be completed entirely online. 

 

Class formats

Sandburg offers courses in a variety of formats to best fit the needs of our students. To determine the formats for specific courses, please refer to our course schedule.

Regardless of the course format, you should have access to a reliable computer with broadband  (high-speed) internet. All courses use online resources and require students to access course information through mySandburg. Accessing courses through a phone is discouraged. Both campuses have open computer labs for student use.

View class formats.

Estimated costs for the Basic Agriculture Certificate program

Basic Agriculture Certificate cost sheet


Financial aid

To apply for financial aid, visit our financial aid page for more information.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) helps job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Contact the local office to see if you qualify for financial support. 

  • Hancock County | 550 N. Madison St. | Carthage, IL | 217.357.6749      
  • Warren/Henderson County | 1025 S. 2nd St | Monmouth, IL | 309.734.4745
  • Knox County Bondi Building | 311 E. Main, Suite 612 | Galesburg, IL | 309.343.9832               
  • McDonough County | 440 N. Lafayette | Macomb, IL | 309.837.1280


Scholarships

Thanks to our generous donors, the Carl Sandburg College Foundation is able to award more than $100,000 each year in scholarship dollars to Sandburg students. High school, adult learners and returning students — everyone is eligible to apply between October 1 and March 15 for the upcoming year.

Meet the instructors

Bradford Hartweg
Hamilton High School Dual Credit Agriculture Instructor

Krista Swanson
Agriculture Adjunct Instructor 

 

Department of Career and Technical Education
2400 Tom L Wilson Blvd.
Galesburg, IL 61401
309.341.5274

Program goals

The Basic Agriculture Certificate program goals can be found in the current catalog.