Tuition and Fees for MBA Students Effective Summer 2004
Agribusiness History
Agribusiness
organizations of all types have been looking for managers and executives who understand
both agriculture and agribusiness. Most MBA graduates in the U.S.A. are not familiar with
agriculture or food systems. Less than 2 percent of the work force is involved in
agriculture, yet approximately 22 percent of the work force is involved in agribusiness
and food systems.
In the United States and globally, the initiation of MBA degrees or similar degrees is of
very recent origin. From 1987 to 1990, the Lincoln Land Institute (a research institute)
studied master’s degrees which were related to agriculture and agribusiness. In this
study, the Institute noted that the first MBA degree in agribusiness was founded in 1972
at the University of Santa Clara, Santa Clara, California. In 1984, Iowa State University
established its MBA in Agribusiness program. This was the first and the largest program of
its type at a public university.
