AGRICULTURE
GROW YOUR FUTURE. Explorers who put down roots. Type A go-getters who stop to smell the flowers. Conservationists who find a cause to partner with corporations. Turfgrass managers and textile makers and dietitians and apparel designers and agronomists. What do all of them have in common? The LSU College of Agriculture. You could call us stewards of the natural world, and you’d be right. Because at our heart is a simple fact: we know that in order to share our resources, we have to manage them responsibly. That’s why we have students who study sustainable fabrics, professors who try to combat water scarcity, and alumni who turn bioengineered concrete into oyster reefs. We believe in a future that’s better than our past, and we’re always looking toward a new horizon.
AN OFFICE WITHOUT DOORS. In the College of Agriculture, walls can’t contain us. Ours is a living classroom with flora, fauna, food, and fashion. We go where the action is, and often, that’s outdoors. If you’re focusing on wildlife, you’ll go out into wetlands or forests to observe or interact with native species. If your interest is plants, you’ll get experience with gardens, crops, and livestock on research farms. If your major is food sciences, we have an on-campus food incubator where you’ll gain industry skills and knowledge. And we're the only university in Louisiana with research stations, located throughout the state, where you'll get hands-on experience. That’s not to say we don’t have classrooms. In fact, our new Animal and Food Sciences Laboratory building is a thing of beauty. With state-of-the-art labs and a commercial-grade kitchen, it has brought the future of animal and food sciences to LSU now.
AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS Learn how raw products move from farm to table while addressing questions and concerns involving the economics and sociology of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities.
CONCENTRATIONS: • AGRIBUSINESS FINANCE
Gain a broad understanding of agriculture to communicate the importance of the industry to a wide variety of audiences. Engage in hands-on and field-based learning across the state and participate in faculty-led research. Become a certified agriculture teacher.
CONCENTRATIONS:
• BREED ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVE
• INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
• AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT
• COMMUNITY COLLEGE FACULTY
• RURAL DEVELOPMENT
• TEACHING IN FORMAL EDUCATION
• FOOD INDUSTRY MANAGEMENT
POSSIBLE CAREERS:
POSSIBLE CAREERS:
• COMMODITY BROKER
• 4-H AGENT
• GRAIN MERCHANDISER
• AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLY MANAGER
• LAWYER • LENDING OFFICER
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AGRICULTURE AND EXTENSION EDUCATION
• PUBLIC POLICY MANAGER • RURAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST • SALES REPRESENTATIVE
• AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVE • AGRICULTURAL LOAN OFFICER
• CROP CONSULTANT • FARM SERVICE AGENCY REPRESENTATIVE • HUMAN RESOURCE SPECIALIST • PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE MANAGER • SECONDARY AGRICULTURAL EDUCATOR
GET ON THE FAST T R AC K
ANIMAL SCIENCES Study all aspects of the animal industries, including production, processing, and nutrition, as well as care of companion animals.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Learn the skills you need to participate in the environmental community in areas such as federal and local environmental regulations, land use planning, and coastal restoration.
VETERINARY MEDICINE
CONCENTRATIONS: • ANIMAL PRODUCTION • ANIMAL PRODUCTS PROCESSING • PRE-VETERINARY MEDICINE • SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
POSSIBLE CAREERS: • ANIMAL SCIENTIST/RESEARCHER • ANIMAL NUTRITIONIST • ANIMAL FEED/PHARMACEUTICAL REPRESENTATIVE • EXTENSION/4-H EDUCATOR
CONCENTRATIONS: • ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS AND RISK MANAGEMENT • POLICY ANALYSIS • RESOURCE CONSERVATION
POSSIBLE CAREERS: • AIR QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST • CONSERVATIONIST • ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYST/ MANAGER
• GENETICIST
• ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT COORDINATOR
• LIVESTOCK MANAGER/HERDSMAN
• SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER
• MUSCLE/MEAT BIOLOGIST • PROFESSOR
Through a partnership with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM), students majoring in animal sciences or natural resource ecology and management have the option to pursue an accelerated three-year curriculum that completes both the bachelor’s degree requirements and prerequisites for the LSU SVM. Qualified candidates may apply to LSU’s SVM in their junior year of coursework, and, if accepted, use their first year of veterinary school credits to complete the final year of the bachelor’s degree. This gives students the opportunity to earn both their Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in seven years instead of eight. Students not accepted to LSU’s SVM in their junior year will complete an additional year of undergraduate coursework in their respective major and earn their Bachelor of Science after the completion of their senior year.
• VETERINARIAN (WITH ADDITIONAL EDUCATION)
FUN FACT: Tiger Bite? Toffee coffee? Double chocolate chip? When you need a little ice-creamy pick-me-up to get you through a hot day, the LSU AgCenter Dairy Store has a flavor for you. (And all of the ice cream is made by LSU students.)
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• REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGIST
NATURAL RESOURCE ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT Study wetlands, wildlife, conservation biology, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, and habitat management or prepare for a career as a wildlife-oriented veterinarian.
CONCENTRATIONS: • CONSERVATION BIOLOGY • ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION
NUTRITION AND FOOD SCIENCES
• FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE • FOREST ENTERPRISE • FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT • PRE-VETERINARY MEDICINE — WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
Learn about nutrition and the research, development, packaging, and distribution of our food supply.
• WETLAND SCIENCE • WILDLIFE ECOLOGY • WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT
CONCENTRATIONS: • DIETETICS
POSSIBLE CAREERS:
• FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
• AQUACULTURE SPECIALIST
• NUTRITION, HEALTH, AND SOCIETY
• CONSERVATION BIOLOGIST
• NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES/ PRE-MEDICINE
• FORESTER • GIS TECHNICIAN
POSSIBLE CAREERS:
• WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES ECOLOGIST
• DIETITIAN (WITH ADDITIONAL EDUCATION)
• WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES VETERINARIAN (WITH ADDITIONAL EDUCATION)
• FOOD SCIENTIST
“My experience at LSU — offering me a scholarship and giving me a place that really felt like home for four years — was 4
one of the best things that ever happened.” Suzanne Perron St. Paul, ’91 TEXTILES, APPAREL AND MERCHANDISING
• MIDDLE OR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER (WITH ADDITIONAL EDUCATION) Suzanne Perron St. Paul designs once-in-a-lifetime couture gowns for celebrities, brides, debutantes, and Mardi Gras royalty. The owner of an eponymous design studio in uptown New Orleans, she is also the designer behind the elegant yet spirited uniforms for the LSU Golden Girls. St. Paul spent years working in the New York fashion industry before moving back to Louisiana.
• NUTRITIONIST • QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST • RESEARCH AND PRODUCT DEVELOPER • SUSTAINABILITY SPECIALIST • WELLNESS COORDINATOR
PLANT AND SOIL SYSTEMS Improve crops and discover new crossbreeds of plants. Learn the latest approaches to the cultivation, marketing, and processing of ornamental plants, fruits, and vegetables.
CONCENTRATIONS: • AGRICULTURAL PEST MANAGEMENT/ENTOMOLOGY • AGRICULTURAL PEST MANAGEMENT/PLANT PATHOLOGY • CROP SCIENCE • HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES • MEDICINAL PLANT SCIENCES
• SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS • TURF AND LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT • URBAN ENTOMOLOGY
POSSIBLE CAREERS: • CROP SCIENTIST • ENTOMOLOGIST • HORTICULTURIST • LANDSCAPE MANAGER • NURSERY/GREENHOUSE MANAGER • PLANT GENETICIST • SOIL SCIENTIST • TURF MANAGEMENT SUPERVISOR
TEXTILES, APPAREL AND MERCHANDISING Learn about the art and science of apparel and textile design, production and development, including materials, processes, technologies, and merchandising involved in today’s fashion industry.
CONCENTRATIONS: • APPAREL DESIGN • MERCHANDISING • TEXTILE SCIENCE
POSSIBLE CAREERS: • APPAREL OR TEXTILE DESIGNER • FASHION FORECASTER • FASHION MARKETING RESEARCHER • FASHION MERCHANDISER • MATERIALS SPECIALIST • PRODUCT DEVELOPER • RETAIL BUYER OR MANAGER • TEXTILE TESTING SCIENTIST
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• SOIL SCIENCE
COMMUNITY FOCUSED. GLOBALLY MINDED. Alex’s passion for agriculture can’t be contained to just our borders. She has used her time in the College of Agriculture to travel the world and expand her knowledge of international agriculture and cultures. Most recently, Alex traveled to Thailand as a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship recipient to study sustainable agriculture.
She has also traveled to Cuba with the assistance of the College of Agriculture Study Abroad Scholarship. Alex is currently working to complete her Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate and hopes to move to Africa after graduation to work with communities in need.
ALEXANDRA IN THAILAND
“The unwavering support of the College of Agriculture has helped mold me into a more confident and able student leader. I am grateful for the community of devoted faculty and peers who have guided and challenged me along the way. My time in the college has been the 6
highlight of my LSU experience.” Alexandra Haynes, ’20 AGRICULTURE AND EXTENSION EDUCATION
D
ozens of hummingbird feeders line Luke Laborde’s backyard. Each September, ruby-throated hummingbirds making their southward migration flock to the bright red feeders. LSU College of Agriculture students congregate at Laborde’s as well. Laborde is an instructor in the College of Agriculture’s School of Renewable Natural Resources, and the students are in a wildlife management techniques class.
“Our goal in the class is to get the students into the field and teach them safe capture and handling techniques for different types of
Dr. Luke Laborde Instructor
MIGRATION STATION
The class uses remote-controlled cages to capture the birds. A licensed bird bander gathers information on each bird — including measurements of the wing and tail, the bill, the amount of fat it has on it, weight, general condition of health — and bands it. The information is sent to a federal bird-banding laboratory. If the bird is ever recaptured, the information is available to compare the bird’s growth and location. For most students, the most exciting part of the project is the release of the birds. After they are banded and measured, each bird is put into a student’s hand. Some fly away quickly, while others linger before continuing their journey. Students also have the opportunity to capture and study ducks, doves, turkeys, gopher tortoises, deer, and feral hogs.
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Louisiana wildlife.”
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
VERA WANG
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
NATIONAL TURKEY FEDERATION WEYERHAEUSER U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE
FIRST SOUTH
GREEN BAY PACKERS
THER
HIRE POWER The college end goal isn’t just graduation — it’s starting your career. We’re here to help you along the way. The College of Agriculture’s Dean’s Office consists of a team of individuals with one goal in mind: your success. From finding internship opportunities to connecting you with our alumni, our team is here to help you reach your full potential as a Tiger! With alumni and industry partners that span the globe, our team is in tune with industry trends and what it takes to be competitive in the agricultural industries. To ensure your success, we have professional development opportunities and resources you can take advantage of to help you along your career path: • CAREER FAIR: The College of Agriculture hosts a Fall Agriculture Career Fair with more than 60 companies and graduate schools. • CAREER PREP WEEK: Before you hit the fair, Career Prep Week can make your resume worthy of a second look. • MENTORSHIP PROGRAM: This pairs industry representatives with students like you who are curious about their careers. • ALUMNI SPEAKER SERIES: Drop in, enjoy lunch (it’s free!), and meet successful alumni and learn about what they’re doing.
TH
INTERNSHIP AND JO ELMER CHOCOLATE SANDERSON FARMS
DUCKS UNLIMITED MARUCCI SPORTS
H FARM CREDIT
LOUISIANA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION - AG IN THE CLASSROOM
LOUISIANA LAND BANK
MDA
ELANCO ANIMAL HEALTH
USDA FOOD SAFETY INSPECTION SERVICE
RE’S NO LIMIT TO
HE PLACES
“Our interns work as buyers and conduct qu
Caroline Coplen, LSU Coll
OB OPPORTUNITIES 6666 RANCH
DILLARD'S
USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
AUDUBON NATURE INSTITUTE
PENNINGTON BIOMEDICAL RES SMITHFIELD FOODS BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS JBS LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
S YOU’LL G
s, write purchase agreements, uality checks.”
lege of Agriculture alumna
RITZ-CARLTON GOLF CLUB
COMMUNITY COFFEE
SEARCH INSTITUTE
CORTEVA
BAYER
ZEN-NOH GRAIN
GO.
DRESSING THE
MAGIC KINGDOM Caroline Coplen’s office isn’t in Cinderella’s Castle, but she thinks her role at Disney is pretty magical. Coplen, a New Orleans native and alumna of the LSU College of Agriculture, is a costume buyer for Walt Disney World, where she helps source costumes for individuals working in operational roles for Disney’s domestic parks, resorts, and cruise line.
“These are considered uniforms, but they are not your typical polos and khakis. It’s much more complicated than that,” Coplen said. “I am dressing cast members who, for example, work in the Haunted Mansion, so they must look the part.” While studying textiles, apparel, and merchandising at LSU, Coplen did a six-month internship with Disney’s costume buying team. Coplen said she loved the work and the environment at Disney so much that she wanted to make a career out of it. She returned to Orlando immediately after graduation. Coplen concentrated on merchandising while in school and received a minor in business administration. She said having that background helped her land the job. She also credits faculty members in the Department of Textiles, Apparel Design & Merchandising with her success.
STUDY ABROAD
WORLD CLASS. Ecological research on African wildlife in Swaziland? Check. Sustainable agriculture and tourism in the developing economy of Nepal? Yes, please. Culinary techniques and ethnic food consumption in Greece? Sign me up! At LSU, the world is your classroom. Not only can you decide what you want to learn but where you want to learn it. We’ve got hundreds of study abroad topics and locations around the globe, so pack your bags and broaden your perspective, all while earning your degree. Visit lsu.edu/agriculture/studyabroad/ studyabroad.php for details.
YES, THESE ARE TIGERS!
(IN MOZAMBIQUE, NO LESS!)
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Study abroad scholarships are available for students who want to take their studies out of state or across the ocean.
STUDY ABROAD
NOW WE’RE COOKIN’ WITH GREECE Lauren Martin had never traveled abroad before visiting Greece. Martin, a nutrition and food sciences major, spent her winter break with seven other students studying food and culture in Athens, Nafplion, and Aegina. “This trip allowed me to see, experience, and observe so much that I never would have if I hadn’t gone in an academic setting,” Martin said. Martin received an international scholarship from the College of Agriculture to help fund the trip, which is part of the Food and Culture in Greece winter intersession program led by Judy Myhand, nutrition instructor in the LSU College of Agriculture. Myhand and her students spent time shopping for food and cooking with local residents who have been opening their homes to the program for several years. Martin said one of her favorite experiences was learning to make spanakopita, a dish of phyllo dough, spinach, and feta cheese, with Eleni Psychas, one of the local residents.
CUBA
COSTA RICA
Seven of the eight students participating in the program were studying nutrition and food sciences with an interest in dietetics. Scholarships are also available for students interested in other study abroad programs and international experiences.
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“She doesn’t speak much English, and we didn’t speak Greek, but she showed us how to make this humble but intricate meal,” Martin said.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
ADD MORE SPICE LSU is the embodiment of Southern hospitality. We believe anything worth having is worth sharing. So as you walk across campus, seasoned students will stop and give you directions, you’ll be greeted with “Geaux Tigers!” (our communal mantra), and you may find yourself in the middle of a hotly (but nicely) contested debate about where to get the best gumbo. LSU is a country unto itself, and in our diverse melting pot of campus culture, friendship is the spice that makes life a little richer. Add a dash of flavor to your college experience by joining one of LSU’s many student organizations (we’ve got more than 350). These clubs are related to the College of Agriculture: • Agribusiness Club • Agriculture Student Association • Air and Waste Management Association • Alpha Gamma Rho • Alpha Zeta • Aquaculture and Fisheries Club • Block and Bridle • Collegiate 4-H • Collegiate FFA at LSU • Dairy Science Club • Ducks Unlimited • Entomology Club • Equestrian Club • Food Science Club • Fashion Association at LSU • Global Ag Ambassadors • Hill Farm Community Garden • Horticulture Club • Les Voyageurs • MANRRS • Poultry Science Club • Pre-Veterinary Club • Sigma Alpha • Society of American Foresters • Student Dietetic Association • Student Wetland Society • The Wildlife Society • Xi Sigma Pi Forestry Honor Society
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... and more.
THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE ALSO HAS STUDENT EVENTS LIKE WELCOME WEEK, BURGER BASH, COOKIES IN THE QUAD, AG WEEK, SENIOR SEND OFF, AND MORE!
Study under stately oaks. Take classes with your neighbors just steps from your own residence. Melt into a community of world cultures all sharing common interests. As a first-year student in the College of Agriculture, you have the opportunity to live in the Agriculture Residential College with your peers. Perks include access to reserved spots in core courses, an on-site classroom, additional scholarship opportunities, study sessions with a private tutor in the hall, and on-site faculty office hours. Visit lsu.edu/residentialcollege to find out more.
AGRICULTURE RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE
BRANCH OUT I N Y O U R O W N B A C K YA R D
BUILDING STELLAR RELATIONSHIPS Dr. Kristin Stair (pronounced STAR, because she is one!) wears a lot of hats, and she wears them well. She teaches classes, works extensively with students who are preparing to become agricultural education teachers as the student teaching coordinator for the department, and she also serves as the co-director of the Agricultural Residential College (ARC). Under Dr. Stair’s guidance, the residential college has grown into a leading program on campus that includes hands-on experiences, peer mentoring, and career-based tracks that allow students to dive into their majors.
DR. KRISTEN STAIR
“I love to teach. I want all of my students to find the field that they are passionate about and understand how other
• Reserved spaces in courses • Multimedia classroom within the residence hall • Meeting space and study rooms in the hall • Faculty and staff hold office hours and review sessions inside the residence hall • Close proximity to the LSU lakes, University Recreation Center (UREC), and 459 Commons dining hall • Participation in career-oriented tracks
areas of agriculture will impact them. I also have to admit, I love the culture of LSU. From tailgating and football to Mardi Gras and crawfish season, this has been such an amazing place to live!”
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Benefits of living in the ARC:
SCHOLARSHIPS
H A R D W O R K D O E S PAY Success in school can lead to an academic scholarship. What you can receive from the College of Agriculture can be added to any scholarship you receive from LSU. The College of Agriculture awards over $250,000 in scholarships to both in- and out-of-state students. The agriculture scholarship opens each November for admitted seniors, and the deadline to apply is February 1.
$ $ $
6 4 PA R I S H S T R O N G S C H O L A R S H I P STRENGTHENING OUR LAND-GRANT MISSION The College of Agriculture offers one $1,000 scholarship to a deserving student from each Louisiana parish. Admitted seniors must submit the general College of Agriculture scholarship application to be eligible. www.lsu.edu/agriculture/students/FreshmanScholarships.php
STUDENT RESOURCES We provide the resources you need to become part of the LSU community and to thrive within it, giving you a rich college experience both in and out of the classroom. FACULTY ADVISING: As a direct admission college, students in the College of Agriculture have access to faculty advisors from day one. Whether you’re studying apparel design or wildlife ecology, you’ll have an expert in your field to coach you through your undergraduate experience and provide mentorship and support.
AG TIGER TUTORING: College of Agriculture math and science tutors are available to assist students each semester as they progress through their classes at LSU. The best part is it’s free. Our deans are fully committed to the success of our students and set aside funds each year to provide these services. Visit www.lsu.edu/agriculture/students/tutor.php to learn more.
DISABILITY SERVICES can assist you if you have a permanent or temporary disability and require special accommodations. Services include coordination of in-class accommodations, including note takers and sign-language interpreter services, and liaison and referral to on- and off-campus resources, services, agencies, and more. Visit lsu.edu/disability to learn more.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH: Get a leg up on building your resume. The College of Agriculture offers undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in research in each of our majors. Partner with a professor to address a research topic and gain hands-on experiences that will prepare you for your future. Students can apply for research grants that provide funds for training and travel opportunities. Visit www.lsu.edu/agriculture/students/researchgrants.php to learn more.
AGRI 1001: FRESHMAN SEMINAR COURSE: Providing a solid foundation for college success, AGRI 1001 will tackle common obstacles that first-year students encounter. Students in this course spend their semester developing a professional development plan that will kick-start their career planning. Instructors for this course are housed in the College of Agriculture Dean’s Office and provide you a direct line to the dean’s staff.
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PEER MENTORS: In addition to your instructors in AGRI 1001, the College of Agriculture has current students who serve as peer mentors for this course. This select group of students will serve as a resource for you all semester and share their LSU experiences to help make yours the best it can be.
MAKE YOUR FUTURE
FIERCE WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
WE’D LOVE TO SHOW YOU AROUND CAMPUS. SCHEDULE A PERSONAL TOUR AND SEE THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE FOR YOURSELF!
lsu.edu/agriculture/visit
lsu.edu/agriculture 225-578-2065 ¡ agstusv@lsu.edu
COA-32 (1,000) 9/19 The LSU AgCenter and LSU provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.