C of O integrates its agriculture program into the very fabric of campus life, giving students the chance to develop professional skills, character, and leadership while graduating debt-free.

At College of the Ozarks, agriculture isn’t just an academic pursuit — it’s a calling, a tradition, and a hands-on opportunity for students to learn through doing. As one of only nine Work Colleges in the nation, C of O integrates its agriculture program into the very fabric of campus life, giving students the chance to develop professional skills, character, and leadership while graduating debt-free.

Located in Point Lookout, Missouri, the College’s agricultural offerings are expansive and diverse. Students choose from majors such as Agribusiness, Agricultural Development, Animal Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, and Agricultural Education. Minors are available in each field, allowing for meaningful customization of degree paths.

The College’s agriculture program includes a beef farm, hog farm, milk processing facility, meat processing plant, and on-campus retail spaces where student-made products are sold. In 2024, College of the Ozarks students earned 14 awards at the Missouri State Fair, including top honors for milk and multiple livestock classes.

But what truly sets College of the Ozarks apart is the Work Education Program — a nationally recognized model in which students work in one of over 80 campus workstations. In the W. Alton Jones Dairy, students care for more than 60 Holstein and Guernsey cows, participate in milk and meat processing, and represent the College at regional and national shows. The program provides a full-circle experience: from calf to carton, students are involved in every step of the dairy production process. Student workers also interact with thousands of campus guests who tour the facilities and learn more about the value of ethical, local food production.

The dairy isn’t the only story of success. The College’s agriculture program includes a beef farm, hog farm, milk processing facility, meat processing plant, and on-campus retail spaces where student-made products are sold. In 2024, College of the Ozarks students earned 14 awards at the Missouri State Fair, including top honors for milk and multiple livestock classes.

Majors: 

Agribusiness, Animal Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Agriculture Development, Agriculture Education, and Conservation and Wildlife Management

Workstations: 

Agriculture Office, Agronomy, Beef Farm, Dairy, Feed Mill, Greenhouse, Hog Farm, and Meat Processing Plant

Clubs: 

Agriculture Education, Aggie Club/Collegiate Farm Bureau, Delta Tau Alpha Honors Society, Horticulture Club, Pre-Vet/Animal Science Club, and Conservation and Wildlife Society

Ryan Bilyeu, who is a College alumnus, currently works as the manager of Jones Dairy at College of the Ozarks.

Ryan Bilyeu, dairy manager and College alumnus, summed it up best: “What’s unique about our farm is that it’s full circle. Students witness the birth of a calf, care for the animal, milk her, and then see that milk bottled and sold. It’s real-life, hands-on learning that creates both skilled professionals and responsible citizens.”

Graduates go on to become veterinarians, herd managers, educators, and industry leaders — prepared not only with knowledge, but with work ethic and mission.

Whether you’re looking to collaborate, recruit, or simply explore one of the most innovative ag education programs in the nation, come visit our team. At College of the Ozarks, agriculture is more than a degree — it’s a way of life.