It may surprise some people to learn that agriculture is a popular area of study in college.

Mississippi State University recruiter Naron Brister spoke to Sonoraville High School and Gordon Central High School students on Tuesday about the abundance of agricultural opportunities the college has to offer.

“We offer 10 different programs and they offer training in many of the jobs,” Brister said.

MSU has reported that there is a demand for a number of increasing jobs in those fields, and the school has University Co-op programs available for students in horticulture.

“The co-op opportunities we have will also allow students to make money while continuing their education in an area of study,” Brister said. “They’ll receive class credit and don’t have to worry about being taken off of insurance.”

One misconception many people have of college agriculture school is that it only allows for a career in farming.

Brister explained MSU offers a wide variety of options for agriculture students.

MSU offers agriculture learning in fields such as forestry, horticulture, agriculture and biological engineering, landscape architecture, sports turf management, home economics and nutrition and animal and dairy sciences, she said.

In the last five years, enrollment in agriculture school has been on the rise, Brister said.

MSU’s College of Agriculture and Life Science (CALS) offers 16 majors and 33 concentrations.

During a power point presentation, Brister also told students about an early entry program for the college of veterinary medicine.

“We offer early entry into vet school,” Brister said.

According to the school’s Web site, a student must maintain a 3.35 GPA or higher in 45 semester hours and remain in good standing in the areas of academics to be considered an early entry applicant.

The college of veterinary medicine offers a bachelor of science and a doctor of veterinary medicine degree.

“Having a recruiter open up a door of opportunity for another student and they can also learn about opportunities as far as scholarships,” said SHS Principal Bruce Potts.

Brister said HOPE eligibility is honored at the school and can help make the cost of an out of state college affordable.

“Students can access in-state tuition funds,” Brister said.

The deadline for freshman applying for in-state tuition cost is Feb. 1.

The schools had two different sessions for students: an agriculture focused session and a medical focused session.

SHS and GCHS students had the opportunity to ask questions about the presentation, talk one-on-one with Brister and other officials with the college, and receive brochures with additional information about what the college has to offer.