Program Information
The primary emphasis of the Farm Business Management Program is to assist farm families in meeting their business and personal goals through quality farm records and sound business decisions. This program is primarily taught at the student’s place of business, but classroom and group instruction are also very important. Individualized instruction is used to the fullest extent. Students are enrolled in the program on a continuous, part-time basis. Normal credit load is 10 credits per year, for the equivalent of 1/3 of a full-time college student.  The instructor visits the farm on a regular basis and understands the strengths and weaknesses of each student’s business.

Developing a set of sound farm records is the basis for the program. Primarily, computerized accounting is used to handle the complex records, which must be kept in an efficient farm business. At the close of the calendar year, these records are summarized by the instructor and a computerized business analysis is prepared for each student to show how well his/her business did financially during the year. Each student also receives an area Farm Business Analysis Summary, which allows them to compare their information with averages of other Farm Business Management students (farmers) in their local area and around the state.

The Farm Business Management Program offering consists of four certificate programs. The first three certificate programs are 30 credits in length. These three programs include Essentials of Farm Business Management, Applications in Farm Business Management, and Advanced Farm Business Management. The fourth certificate option is the Marketing Certificate, consisting of 25 credits.

Program Learning Outcomes
Upon program completion students will be able to:

Maintain accurate records regularly.
Complete business analysis annually.
Complete accurate balance sheets annually or as needed.
Complete business planning annually and strategically.
Continue in business after completing award area(s).

Special Program Requirements
The Farm Business Management Program is designed for business owners, managers, and key employees of farm and agricultural business. In addition, individuals in the process of starting a farm or agricultural business may also enroll.

Admissions
The Farm Business Management Program is primarily offered as individualized instruction at the business. Classroom instruction is also offered on a limited basis. Normal credit load is 10 credits per year, for the equivalent of 1/3 of a full-time college student.

Employment Opportunities
Students in this program are currently employed in the field, or in the process of starting a business.

Gainful Employment (pdf)

Advanced Farm Business Management, Certificate - Program Planning Form (pdf)

Agricultural Commodities Marketing, Certificate - Program Planning Form (pdf)

Applications in Farm Business Management, Certificate - Program Planning Form (pdf)

Current Issues in Farm Business Management, Certificate - Program Planning Form (pdf)

Essentials of Farm Business Management, Certificate - Program Planning Form (pdf)

ADVANCED FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE
Required Courses
FBMA 3100* Fund of Financial Mgmt Relates Risk Mgmt (3cr)
FBMA 3101* Applied Financial Mgmt. Relates Risk Mgmt (3cr)
FBMA 3110* Fund Finan Mgmt/Strategic Plan Emphasis (3cr)
FBMA 3111* Applied Financial Mgmt/Strategic Plan Emp (3cr)
FBMA 3120* Fund Financial Mgmt/Bus Plan Emphasis (3cr)
FBMA 3121* Applied. Financial Mgmt/Bus Plan Emphasis (3cr)
Total 18 Credits

Electivies
Student must choose additional 12 credits from the Farm Business Management Master Course Listing. Electives can be identified when the second numerical placeholder is a "3". (i.e. FBMA 3330)
Total 12 Credits

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT 30 CREDITS

AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES MARKETING CERTFICATE
Required Courses
FBMT 1170 Introduction to Farm Commodities Mktg (3cr)
FBMT 1173 Directed Study - Introduction to Farm Commodity Marketing (2cr)
FBMT 1180 Applying Commodity Mktg Fundamentals (3cr)
FBMT 1183 Directed Study - Applying Commodity Marketing Fundamentals (2cr)
FBMT 1190 Evaluating Farm Commodity Mktg Tools (3cr)
FBMT 1193 Directed Study - Evaluating Farm Commodity Marketing Tools (2cr)
FBMT 2170 Monitoring Farm Commodity Mktg Plans (3cr)
FBMT 2173 Directed Study - Monitoring Farm Commodity Marketing Plans (2cr)
FBMT 2180 Strategies in Farm Commodity Marketing (3cr)
FBMT 2183 Directed Study- Strategies in Farm Commodity Marketing (2cr)
Total 25 Credits

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT 25 CREDITS

APPLICATIONS IN FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE
Required Courses
FBMT 2141 Interpreting and Evaluating Financial Data (4cr)
FBMT 2142 Interpreting Trends in Business Planning (4cr)
FBMT 2151 Strategies in Farm System Data Management (4cr)
FBMT 2152 Integrating System Information for Financial Planning (4cr)
FBMT 2161 Examination of the Context of Farm System Management (4cr)
FBMT 2162 Refining Farm System Management (4cr)
Total 24 Credits

Electives
Student must choose an additional 6 credits from the Farm Business Management Master Course Listing. Electives can be identified when the second numerical placeholder is a "2". (i.e. FBMT 1211)
Total 6 Credits

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT 30 CREDITS

CURRENT ISSUES IN FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE
Required Courses
FBMA 2210 Current Issues in Farm Business Management (1-5cr)
FBMA 2220 Directed Studies - Current Issues in Farm Bus Mgmt (1-5cr)
FBMA 2211 Current Issues in Farm Business Management (1-5cr)
FBMA 2221 Directed Studies - Current Issues in Farm Bus Mgmt (1-5cr)
FBMA 2212 Current Issues in Farm Business Management (1-5cr)
FBMA 2222 Directed Studies - Current Issues in Farm Bus Mgmt (1-5cr)
Total 18-30 Credits

Electives
Student must choose up to an additional 12 credits from the Farm Business Management Master Course Listing. Electives can be identified when the second numerical placeholder is a "2". (i.e. FBMA 2223)
Total 0-12 Credits

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT 30 CREDITS

ESSENTIALS OF FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CERTFICATE
Required Courses
FBMT 1112 Foundations for Farm Business Management (4cr)
FBMT 1121 Preparation for Farm Business Analysis (4cr)
FBMT 1122 Implementing the System Management Plan (4cr)
FBMT 1131 Managing and Modifying Farm System Data (4cr)
FBMT 1132 Interpreting and Using Farm System Data (4cr)
Total 20 Credits

Electives
Student must choose an additional 10 credits from the Farm Business Management Master Course Listing. Electives can be identified when the second numerical placeholder is a "2". (i.e. FBMT 1211)
Total 10 Credits

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT 30 CREDITS