Butte College

Course Outline

2026-2027 Catalog

AB 26 - Introduction to Agriculture Business

Catalog Description

Transfer Status
CSU
Unit(s)
3.00
  • Lecture: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
  • Total: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course provides students with 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-AB 104).

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Explain how economic principles relate to commodity marketing sub sectors in agriculture.
  2. Recognize and describe agricultural business organizational structures including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, franchises, and cooperatives.
  3. Develop an awareness of the basic laws, regulations, and regulatory agencies that interact with the agriculture community.
  4. Describe various styles of leadership.
  5. Identify the role of the agricultural manager.
  6. Recognize, evaluate, and propose solutions to problems in personnel, ethics and communication.
  7. Identify and explain the four functions of management and how they relate to the agribusiness organization.

Course Content

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

Lecture topics and suggested hours
TopicsLec Hrs

The role and organization of the agribusiness
   a. The place of agribusiness in California, United States, and the global economy
   b. Types of agribusiness
   c. The organization of an agribusiness
   d. Types of business structure 
   e. Managing the agribusiness

8.50

Management
   a. Planning
   b. Leading
   c. Organizing
   d. Controlling

8.50

Human Resource Management 
   a. The role of the agriculture manager 
   b. Agriculture employee motivation
   c. Team and team building
   d. Labor relations

8.50

Financial Management and Control of Agribusiness
   a. General business economics
   b. Overview of financial statements

8.50

Business Land and Ethics in Agriculture
   a. Agriculture values
   b. Agriculture business ethnics 
   c. Personal values
   d. Agricultural Law and the regulatory environment

8.50

Managerial Problem Solving in Agriculture
   a. Diagnosis of the situation
   b. Generating alternative
   c. Evaluating alternatives
   d. Selecting the best alternative
   e. Implementing the alternative
   f. Evaluation of results

8.50
Total Hours:51.00

Methods of Instruction

  1. Group Discussions
  2. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
  3. Lecture
  4. Reading Assignments

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Quizzes
  2. Oral Presentation
  3. Projects
  4. Homework
  5. Essays and research papers
  6. Business Plan

Examples of Assignments

Reading Assignments

  1. Read and interpret an article pertaining to current events in agriculture, posted on the class portal. Be prepared to discuss the issues and take a pro/con position.
  2. Read the case study in your text dealing with "Going Broke While Making a Profit". Identify how this happened and how it could have been avoided.

Writing Assignments

  1. Write a 7-10 page business plan for an agricultural endeavor of your choice. The business plan should include a description of the business, a marketing plan, and financial statements.
  2. Write a 2-3 page research paper covering the management style of the Simplot Corporation. Identify the companies' approach to hiring, advancement, and outlook on the future.

Out-of-Class Assignments

  1. Locate two examples of advertising for an agricultural commodity. One should be commodity based and the other product specific. Be prepared to discuss in class.
  2. Interview an individual currently working in your proposed field of employment. Write a 2-page paper discussing the nature of the work, the best and worst parts of the job, and the employment outlook. Be prepared to discuss in class.

Recommended Materials of Instruction

Akridge, J. T., et al. (2026). Agribusiness Management. Routledge, 7th. 9781032784038.

Zero Cost Textbook

Anonymous. Exploring Business. (OER). https://biz.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Business/Introductory_Business/An_Introduction_to_Business

Minimum Qualifications

Ag Business And Related Serv.

Agriculture (Masters Required)