How it gets funded.
Agri-Financial Services
The Agri-Financial Services program at Lake Area Tech prepares you to work on the financial side of agriculture, where decisions carry real weight. This 20-month degree focuses on lending, credit, and financial support for farms and ag businesses.
You’ll build skills in financial analysis, lending practices, and working with producers, along with completing a part-time or summer internship in the ag finance sector. It’s a path for people who understand agriculture and want to be part of how it operates, grows, and sustains itself.
If you plan to continue your education, tools like Transferology can help you understand how your coursework applies toward a four-year degree and explore your next steps.
Articulation AGREEMENTS:
E-Degree Option
Lake Area Tech offers hybrid E-degree programs for students who need flexibility without sacrificing quality. These programs combine online coursework with required on-campus experiences, giving you the ability to learn on your schedule while still completing hands-on training when it matters.
Is online learning right for you? Learn what it means to be a hybrid learner, how it works and what you can expect.
Agri-Financial Services Careers
Below are several careers you could pursue with an Agri-Financial Services degree. Visit our job board to see job opportunities in the Agri-Financial Services sector.
Agriculture Sales Representative
Graduates of the Agriculture Business program can pursue careers as Agriculture Sales Representatives, helping farmers and agricultural businesses find the products and solutions they need to operate successfully. In this role, you'll build relationships with producers, recommend products, provide technical guidance, and stay informed on industry trends. It's an excellent career path for individuals who enjoy agriculture, communication, and problem-solving.
Where you might work:
• Agricultural cooperatives
• Seed and crop input companies
• Equipment dealerships
• Livestock supply companies
• Agricultural service providers
Crop Input Sales Specialist
As a Crop Input Sales Specialist, you'll work directly with growers to recommend products that support crop health and productivity. Graduates can expect to advise customers on seed, fertilizer, crop protection products, and agronomic solutions while helping producers make informed decisions throughout the growing season. This role combines agricultural knowledge with customer service and sales expertise.
Where you might work:
• Seed companies
• Fertilizer retailers
• Crop protection suppliers
• Agricultural cooperatives
• Agronomy service providers
Grain Elevator Operator
Grain Elevator Operators play a vital role in the agricultural supply chain by receiving, storing, monitoring, and shipping grain products. In this role, you'll oversee grain handling operations, maintain quality standards, operate specialized equipment, and help ensure grain moves efficiently from producers to market. This career is ideal for graduates who enjoy operations, logistics, and the business side of agriculture.
Where you might work:
• Grain elevators
• Agricultural cooperatives
• Grain processing facilities
• Commodity storage operations
• Agricultural transportation companies
Grain Merchandiser
As a Grain Merchandiser, you'll help connect grain producers with domestic and international markets. Graduates can expect to monitor commodity markets, purchase grain, manage contracts, and build relationships with producers and buyers. This fast-paced career combines agriculture, business, marketing, and market analysis.
Where you might work:
• Grain merchandising firms
• Agricultural cooperatives
• Commodity trading organizations
• Grain elevators
• Agricultural marketing companies
Agriculture Loan Officer
Agriculture Loan Officers help farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses secure the financing needed to grow and operate successfully. In this role, you'll evaluate loan applications, analyze financial information, build customer relationships, and recommend lending solutions. This career is a great fit for graduates who enjoy both agriculture and finance.
Where you might work:
• Agricultural banks
• Farm credit organizations
• Community banks
• Agricultural lending institutions
• Financial service companies
Crop Insurance Specialist
As a Crop Insurance Specialist, you'll help producers manage risk and protect their operations from weather-related losses and other challenges. Graduates can expect to explain coverage options, assist with policy administration, evaluate claims, and support clients throughout the insurance process. This role combines agricultural expertise with customer service and financial protection strategies.
Where you might work:
• Crop insurance agencies
• Agricultural insurance providers
• Farm management companies
• Financial service organizations
• Agricultural consulting firms
Every class, every semester. Find the right pathway to achieve your degree on your timing.
Getting all of this straight can be tough – but you're not alone. Our representatives are here to help.
"I am a very "hands-on" learner and my classes at Lake Area Tech taught me in that manner."
Estimated Cost
At Lake Area Tech, there are no surprises. View expected expenses below, so you can plan ahead for a successful year.
| Tuition | $9,983 |
| State Fees | $3,353 |
| Departmental Fee | $2,826 |
| Campus Support Fee | $2,310 |
| Books | $1,350 |
| Laptop (What laptop should I get?) | $1,190 |
| Total Estimated Program Cost: | $21,012 |
We know that college is a significant investment in your future. Our goal is to offer you the most transparent look at potential costs associated with your degree.
Note that other indirect costs, such as housing, food, transportation, personal and other miscellaneous costs will vary for each student’s situation, and are not included in this estimate. You can find these estimates and a semester breakdown in the PDF cost breakdown worksheet.
We strive to offer a variety of financial aid options, as well as helpful resources regarding outside financial aid options.
| Tuition | $9,983 |
| State Fees | $3,353 |
| Departmental Fee | $3,765 |
| Campus Support Fee | $2,310 |
| Books | $1,350 |
| Laptop (What laptop should I get?) | $1,190 |
| Total Estimated Program Cost: | $21,951 |
We know that college is a significant investment in your future. Our goal is to offer you the most transparent look at potential costs associated with your degree.
Note that other indirect costs, such as housing, food, transportation, personal and other miscellaneous costs will vary for each student’s situation, and are not included in this estimate. You can find these estimates and a semester breakdown in the PDF cost breakdown worksheet.
We strive to offer a variety of financial aid options, as well as helpful resources regarding outside financial aid options.
Agri-Financial Services FAQs
Get the details you need to decide if this program is the right fit for you.
What careers can I pursue with an Agri-Financial Services specialty from Lake Area Tech?
The Agri-Financial Services specialty prepares students for finance careers focused on farms, ranches, agribusinesses, and rural communities. Graduates work at the intersection of agriculture and finance, supporting producers with lending, planning, and risk management.
Common career paths include ag loan officer or assistant, agricultural credit analyst, ag lender, agribusiness banker, relationship manager, and farm or ranch financial manager. Graduates also work in agricultural insurance, risk management, and loan support roles at rural banks, Farm Credit institutions, and other ag-focused financial organizations.
What skills will I learn in the Agriculture Financial Services program?
Students develop a combination of finance, agriculture, and professional relationship skills needed for ag lending and agribusiness careers.
Finance and analysis skills include:
- Analyzing farm and agribusiness financial statements, cash flow, and repayment capacity
- Evaluating credit risk and structuring agricultural loans
- Applying banking, lending, interest, and collateral principles in an ag context
Agriculture and business knowledge includes:
- Understanding production cycles, commodity markets, and input costs
- Budgeting, recordkeeping, and farm/ranch business planning
- Linking financial decisions to real agricultural operations
Customer and professional skills include:
- Communicating with producers and ag-business clients
- Interviewing clients and presenting recommendations
- Collaborating with ag lending and finance teams
How does this program prepare students for ag lending or farm credit careers?
The Agri-Financial Services program is designed specifically to prepare students for ag lending and farm credit roles by combining finance coursework, agriculture-specific training, and real-world experience.
Students complete lending-focused courses such as Fundamentals of Lending II and Ag Lending, which cover loan types, collateral, credit analysis, and loan structuring for agricultural customers. Coursework emphasizes analyzing farm financial statements, understanding cash flow, and evaluating repayment capacity—core skills for ag lenders.
The 20-month associate degree blends classroom learning with applied experiences, preparing graduates for entry-level roles at rural banks, Farm Credit System institutions, and ag finance organizations.
Is this program a good fit for students interested in both agriculture and finance?
Yes. This option is intentionally built for students who enjoy both numbers and agriculture and want to work in rural or ag-focused communities.
The curriculum blends accounting, banking, lending, and wealth management with ag-specific coursework such as farm and ranch records and agricultural business concepts. Graduates are prepared for careers like ag loan officer, ag lender, or agribusiness banker, where financial skills directly support producers and rural economies.
What real-world or hands-on experiences are included in the Ag Financial Services option?
Students complete a required, for-credit internship in an ag-related financial setting such as a rural bank, Farm Credit association, or agribusiness organization. During the internship, students gain supervised experience working with real farm and ranch customers, financial records, and loan documentation.
In addition, applied coursework uses case studies, real farm examples, and scenario-based assignments so students work with realistic financial statements and credit situations. Professional skills such as interviewing clients and presenting recommendations are also emphasized, ensuring graduates are workplace-ready.
What types of employers hire graduates from the Agriculture Financial Services program?
Graduates are hired by a wide range of ag-focused employers, including:
- Rural and community banks
- Farm Credit System associations and specialized ag lenders
- Agribusiness and ag-finance organizations
- Agricultural insurance and risk management companies
- Government agencies and farm service organizations
These employers rely on graduates to support agricultural producers with lending, financial analysis, and risk management.
Do I need previous agriculture experience to enroll in the Ag Financial Services specialty?
No prior agriculture experience is required. The program is designed to teach both agriculture and finance together, making it accessible to students who are interested in working with producers or rural communities but did not grow up on a farm.
Students with prior ag experience strengthen their financial skills, while students new to agriculture gain ag knowledge alongside finance training.
How long does it take to complete this specialty within the Financial Services program?
The associate degree can be completed in as little as 20 months when taken full time. Courses are offered on campus and online, allowing students to choose full-time, part-time, or hybrid schedules that fit their lifestyle.
What financial and customer service skills will I learn in this program?
In addition to technical finance training, students develop essential professional skills employers value, including:
- Customer service and professional communication
- Problem solving and analytical thinking
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Information management and recordkeeping
- Documentation and reporting
- Attention to detail and compliance
- Time management and workplace professionalism
These skills prepare graduates to work confidently with producers, lenders, and agribusiness clients.
What support or career placement services are available for Ag Financial Services students?
Agri-Financial Services students receive personalized advising and career support from acceptance through graduation and beyond. Instructors serve as faculty advisors, providing consistent guidance and individualized support.
Students have access to free tutoring, academic support services, and internship placement assistance. Faculty continue to share job leads and professional opportunities after graduation, and the program maintains articulation agreements with colleges and universities for students who wish to continue toward a bachelor’s degree.
