The history of Agricultural Mechanization is filled with exciting technological advances and complicated social issues. Agriculture, once a harrowing and back-breaking endeavor, has been vastly improved in the past few centuries thanks to inventions such as the tractor, the thresher, and the baler. These inventions—and the sweeping changes in the agricultural field that accompanied them—are generally referred to as Agricultural Mechanization. As a major, Agricultural Mechanization aims to expose you to the technological and mechanical aspects of farming equipment. You’ll study areas such as electric power and processing; construction and maintenance; and water management. You’ll learn the ins and outs of engines, combines, tractors, balers, and other devices. You’ll study building construction, and learn mechanical skills such as welding and drafting. Ultimately, you’ll gain the knowledge you need to design, build, repair, sell, manage, and operate farm equipment. There are many career options open to you as an Agricultural Mechanization major. Many students choose to begin their own business; others embark on careers in service management, product service or testing, or agricultural management. Whatever the case, know that you’re furthering a field that has allowed agriculture to come amazingly far.

Preparation

Your best preparation for a major in Agricultural Mechanization is to take as many advanced-level math and science courses as possible. You’ll be using mathematics in many areas of this field, and the broader your foundation when you get to college, the better. You might also want to investigate agricultural clubs at your school to gain some knowledge about the farming world.