Agribusiness

AGMT 100 INTRODUCTION TO AGRIBUSINESS

Fall, 3 credit hours

An introduction to the management, entrepreneurship, and other tools needed to solve practical problems in agribusiness. The course will help students place agribusiness management in perspective and develop an understanding of agribusiness organizations, the challenges they face, and how to measure their effectiveness. Particular emphasis will be placed on how to develop successful agribusiness ventures, including overall organization, human resource management, finance, and marketing.

AGMT 305 AGRICULTURAL POLICY

Fall, 3 credit hours

This course introduces students to the role of government and other institutions in setting agricultural and food policy. It develops an understanding of the application of economic theory to agricultural problems and the policy decision process. Topics such as macroeconomic policies, farm policies, rural development policies, agricultural trade policy, environmental policy, food safety and security policy, and food assistance and nutrition policy are discussed.

Prerequisite: Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 101) and Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 103) and a minimum 45 credit hours, or permission of instructor.

AGMT 310 AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Spring, 3 credit hours

This course provides students with understanding of the size, scope and importance of the agribusiness food chain including agricultural producers, processors, distributors, farmers and ranchers. It examines marketing, financial, operations and human resource management principles applied to agribusiness firm. Topics such as organization of an agribusiness, economics for agribusiness managers, international agribusiness, financing agribusiness, evaluation of operating and investment decisions, production planning and management, and supply chain management for agribusiness are discussed.

Prerequisite: Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 103), Introduction to Finance (FSMA 210) and or permission of instructor.

Corequisite: Principles of Management (BSAD 301)

AGMT 320 AGRICULTURAL MARKETS AND PRICE ANALYSIS

Fall, 3 credit hours

This course introduces students to the agricultural price analysis, agricultural market structures and agricultural marketing strategies. It utilizes the economic concepts to help students understand and develop practical agribusiness marketing strategies. Topics such as agricultural price seasonality, market adjustments, price analysis using supply and demand, equilibrium displacement models, food marketing channel, international agricultural trade, and agricultural futures and options markets are discussed.

Prerequisite: Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 103), Marketing (BSAD 203) and MATH 141 Statistics, or permission of instructor.

AGMT 330 FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Spring, 3 credits hours

This course provides students with tools needed to measure management performance and financial condition of the farm business. It develops decision-making skills in planning, organizing, directing and controlling farm business. Topics such as farm recordkeeping and accounting system, financial statement analysis, investment analysis, crop and livestock enterprise budgeting and analysis, risk management, income tax management, and machinery management are discussed.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Business (BSAD 100), Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 103) and Introduction to Finance (FSMA 210) or permission of instructor.

AGMT 385 AGRICULTURAL LAW

Spring, 3 credits hours

This course examines areas of law applicable to agriculture, ,including agricultural law; acquisition and disposal of farmland; farm tenancies; rights and limitations in the use and ownership of farmland; water law; environmental protection; protection of the productivity of agricultural land; and the law of sales and secured transactions in an agricultural context. Critical legal issues facing the industry and consumers will be discussed, including federal farm programs, the structure of farms and industrialized agriculture, migrant labor issues, farm animal welfare, as well as agriculture commercial law.

Prerequisites: Business Law I (BSAD 201) or permission of instructor.

AGMT 410 AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIP

Spring, 6-12 credit hours

The Agribusiness Management Internship integrates classroom work and practical experience with cooperating businesses or agencies. The Internship allows seniors the opportunity to apply classroom learning in an agricultural management setting. It is a structured field experierrce in which an Intern, under the guidance of a supervisor, acquires and applies knowledge and skills while working in a responsible role. The internship site and completed documentation must be completed by the student and turned into the supervising faculty by the end of the semester prior to the start of the internship. Internship assignments and activities may include, but not be limited to, information gathering, research, drafting of documents, office management, and other tasks and responsibilities deemed necessary.

Prerequisites: Senior status in the Agribusiness Management program. Student must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher before the internship begins, or permission of the instructor in consultation with the student's academic advisor.

AGMT 450 AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT CAPSTONE

Spring, 3 credit hours

This multidisciplinary capstone course integrates materials from Agribusiness Management courses to allow students to gain practical skills and knowledge of the varied fields of Agribusiness and the role agribusiness managers have within the multiple systems. Students analyze and evaluate advanced Agribusiness issues, i.e. impact from evolving Federal and State laws relating to Agribusiness facilities, providers, and consumers. Students also study contemporary challenges by incorporating knowledge gained through Agribusiness courses and required readings.

Prerequisites: 90 credits earned, in Agribusiness Management; or permission of instructor.