This course consists of a variety of agriculture related subjects to help students discover and explore the many area’s of study and career opportunities in the agriculture field.  The course will explore Animal Science (Beef, Sheep and Swine), Veterinary Science, Leadership, Agriculture Careers, Equine Science, Farm Business Management, Agribusiness, Crop Science and Biotechnology.  The purpose of the course is to allow students explore many agricultural areas to help them determine what areas they would like to explore and learn in the upper level courses.

Farm Business Management I explores the basic management concepts.  The course discusses planning operations, labor costs, labor relations, farm machinery efficiency, the pros and cons of leasing versus ownership of farm equipment, and the use of custom operators.  The course also discusses many of the career opportunities in the farm business industry.  Upon completion of this course, students will have the necessary basic farm business skills to successfully complete upper level farm business management coursework and continue to explore the many careers in the farm business industry.

Farm Business Management Financial Planning complements the Farm Business Management I course by exploring financial planning tools required by producers in production agriculture and agribusiness. The course explores producing a business plan, budgeting, accounting, farm record systems, and measuring financial strength and progress. Upon completion of this course, the student will have gained valuable financial planning skills that along with other Farm Business Management courses will prepare students for a career in production agriculture or agribusiness.

The agriculture careers course will explore many of the nearly 300 plus careers agriculture has to offer.  The course will discuss how to conduct and explore a career search, how to draw on your experiences to consider a career, and explore several agriculture related careers.  The students will be conducting personal career searches to determine which careers they may be interested in.  Upon completion of this course, students will be able to determine if agriculture offers an exciting career for them and have the skills to begin educating themselves to proceed towards a career goal.

Agribusiness I explores the basic concepts of agribusiness.  The course discusses the retail business of farm equipment, chemical, feeds and other agriculture supplies.  The course explores agriculture cooperatives.  Upon completion of this course, students will have the basic agribusiness skills needed to successfully complete the agribusiness II course, and explore the many career opportunities offered in agribusiness.