Agricultural Business Management

Division: Agriculture

This Agricultural Business Management degree prepares students for entry-level employment and/or potential further study in the field of Agricultural Business Management through the study of sales and service, marketing, accounting and computer applications. Students will acquire skills in sales and service, marketing, accounting and computer applications, data evaluation, farm management and accounting. As a whole, the Agricultural Business Management Department emphasizes networking and business application by giving students the opportunity to connect with industry people through field trips and guest speakers.

Contact Information

Agricultural Business Management Faculty Contact

Shannan Cooper | (559) 688-3118 | shannanc@cos.edu
Tulare Center Building B: 106 | Tulare Campus

Agriculture Division Chair

Kim Pitigliano | (559) 688-3117 | kimp@cos.edu
Tulare Center Building B: 104 | Tulare Campus

Provost - Tulare College Center, Dean of Agriculture

C. Louann Waldner, Ph.D. | (559) 688-3050 | louannw@cos.edu
Tulare Center Building A: 109 | Tulare Campus

Associate Degree

Certificate

Certificate of Achievement in Agricultural Business Management

AGMT 001 Agriculture Economics 3 unit(s)

Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion

Introductory course focusing on microeconomic principles of resource allocation, production, cost and market price equilibrium with primary application to farms and agribusinesses. Examination of different market structures and their economic effect on agricultural products and resources. Methods of selecting optimal levels of agricultural production. (C-ID AG-AB124)

AGMT 101 Ag Sector Analysis 3 unit(s)

Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion

Aggregate analysis of agricultural economics. Topics include domestic and international forces affecting all parts of the agricultural supply chain, fiscal and monetary policy, trade, agricultural credit, price support, food programs, debt accumulation, agribusiness asset values and income levels.

AGMT 102 Ag Sales and Marketing 3 unit(s)

Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion

This course involves the study of principles and practices of the selling process: selling strategies and approaches, why and how people buy, prospecting, territory management, and customer service. Additional topics for exploration include self-management, communication, interpersonal skills necessary to develop managerial abilities, leadership qualities, and facilitation of teamwork within the agribusiness sector. Students will gain experience through role-play, formal sales presentations, and job shadowing. The course content is organized to give students an in-depth understanding of the factors and influences that affect the agribusiness industry on a day-to-day basis. Application of these concepts and methods occurs through hands-on projects developing solutions for agriculture business. (C-ID AG-AB112)

AGMT 103 Intro to Agriculture Business 3 unit(s)

Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion

Provides a basic understanding of the business and economics of the agricultural industry; an introduction to the economic aspects of agriculture and their implications to the agricultural producer, consumer and the food system; management principles encountered in the day to day operation of an agricultural enterprise as they relate to the decision-making process. (C-ID AG-AB104)

AGMT 104 Agriculture Accounting 3 unit(s)

Hours: 2.5 Lecture/Discussion

1.5 Lab

The study of the principles of agricultural accounting systems and types of records, their use and how to compute and use measures of earnings and cost of production to improve agribusiness efficiency. Farm income tax, Social Security, and employee payroll records also included. Application of these concepts and methods through hands-on projects developing computer-based solutions for agriculture business. (C-ID AG-AB128)

AGMT 105 Ag Managerial Accounting 3 unit(s)

Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion

1 Lab

Application and analysis of accounting information for farm and agribusiness management; integration of economic, and financial principles in preparing business plans; equipment cost control and crop enterprise accounting methods; capital investment and profit performance; introduction to computerized farm accounting systems.

Prerequisites: AGMT 104 or equivalent college course with "C" or better

AGMT 108 AG Business Computer Apps 3 unit(s)

Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion

1 Lab

Equivalent Course: AGMT 108AB

Computer use in the workplace with emphasis on agribusiness situations. Computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation managers will be covered. Also included will be accessing information through the Internet, telecommunications, an introduction to web page design and other software appropriate to agribusiness. Students will apply these concepts and methods through hands-on projects, developing computer-based solutions for agriculture business. (C-ID AG-AB108)

AGMT 201 Intro. to Food Safety Mgmt. 3 unit(s)

Hours: 3 Lecture/Discussion

Introduction to management principles of food safety, including the importance of Good Agricultural Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices. Identification of potential food safety hazards, sources of contamination, and the U.S. regulatory agencies that enforce the food safety standards. Introduction to the HACCP approach to food safety.