Principles of Agribusiness Certificate

This course introduces agribusiness management principles and how firms operate and make decisions in domestic and international agri-food markets. The course focuses on how firms can be successful in the current competitive and vertically integrated agricultural industry and how different agribusiness management skills help firms accomplish specific goals. At the completion of this course, students will be able to: 1) understand principles of agribusiness management and apply them to the current issues in the agri-food system, 2) learn how firms and organizations are planning, making decisions, organizing, leading, and managing in agribusiness, 3) identify how agribusiness management functions and strategies help firms to maximize profits by using limited resources efficiently, 4) explain the domestic and local implications of globalization and international trade in agribusiness.

This course surveys financial concepts and analytical tools used in agribusiness. students will be exposed to various financial statements and begin formulating the purpose of these financial statements in the day-to-day operation of agriculturally based businesses. This course includes financial mathematics, financial and operational planning, and management, along with capital budgeting. Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: 1) read and interpret financial statements, 2) evaluate the capital structure, leverage, and financial risk, and 3) explore financial trends in agriculture.

This course covers several topics related to understanding the key factors in agribusiness management. Some of the topics covered include agricultural supply chain management, licensing requirements for agribusinesses, overview of regulatory responsibilities, and understanding the value data analysis. Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: 1) summarize the impact of key topics on agribusiness operations, 2) evaluate the impact of data on decision making, 3) report on regulatory requirements for agribusinesses.

This course is an introduction to how economic factors impact the sustainability of global food production and agribusiness. The course will devote significant time covering the fundamental principles of agribusiness and how sustainability issues will impact the economic sustainability of agribusiness currently and into the future. At the completion of this course, students will be able to: 1) determine the environmental impacts of agribusiness decisions, 2) analyze global issues that have an economic impact on agricultural development, 3) evaluate the influence of diverse opinions that various stakeholders have on agribusiness sustainability, and 4) calculate the monetary impact that changes in agricultural production will have on agribusiness profitability.

This course focuses on behaviors and interactions in the agribusiness marketplace, and explores trends impacting consumption and production, as well as the subsequent impact on profitability. Basic economic principles such as supply and demand, competition, government intervention, and consumer decision-making will be discussed. At the completion of the course, students will be able to: 1) explain various factors that impact the agricultural commodity market, 2) apply and differentiate supply-side economics and demand-side economics to various commodity market scenarios, 3) discuss how consumers, producers, the government, the environment, and world trade are interconnected in agribusiness economics and policy, and 4) evaluate how economic factors impact agricultural consumption and production, as well as all aspects of the food supply chain.