This module introduces students to the basic concepts of the agricultural industry, its history and its future. Students will learn about critical challenges the industry faces today, important figures and regulatory structures, and the socioeconomic impact of food and natural resources.

In this module, students will identify leaders within agriculture, understand how leadership styles influence entrepreneurial goals and obtain tangible strategies for becoming an ethical and effective leader within an agricultural business context.

In this module, students will identify leaders within agriculture, understand how leadership styles influence entrepreneurial goals and obtain tangible strategies for becoming an ethical and effective leader within an agricultural business context.

By the end of this module, students will be able to identify and evaluate the most common types of agriculture, food and natural resources (AFNR) businesses, including sole proprietorships, cooperatives, partnerships and corporations.

Capital and human resources must be managed for best results in agricultural businesses. In this module, students will gain insight into effective strategies for managing every aspect of their agribusiness, from compensation and benefit plans to tracking inventory. Students will also be able to define new terms for the staff and financial components of an agribusiness.

In this module, students will discover the various roles, ethical responsibilities and tasks handled by accountants in agriculture businesses. Students will also learn how to identify expenses, calculate profit margins and develop strategies for increased profitability in agribusiness.

Deciding how much to spend on resources and which resources to invest money into is a complex process. Throughout this module, students will learn more about decision making and the principles of economics in relation to agribusiness.

By the end of this module, students will be able to:

• explain the difference between macroeconomics and microeconomics
• describe different economic systems and the role of supply and demand in setting prices
• examine the role elasticity plays in adjusting prices to meet changing consumer demands
• demonstrate understanding of the labor market, including power dynamics between employees and employers.

Government’s role in agriculture is much more than support payments for farm commodities or writing food safety laws. This module will familiarize students with local, state and federal industry regulations that influence the management of AFNR business operations in the United States.

Marketing is the process of communicating the value of a product or service to a customer. It can be a creative process, but it also requires some structure and organized planning. This module explores the need for product development and strategies that agribusinesses can use to effectively market themselves. Students will learn how to develop their ideas and create systematic ways to bring them to life.