Essentials of Farm Business Management - Certificate

30 Credits    CERT3148,  Academic Catalog 2026-2027

A program that prepares individuals to manage farms, ranches, and similar enterprises. Includes instruction in applicable agricultural specialization, business management, accounting, taxation, capitalization, purchasing, government programs and regulations, operational planning and budgeting, contracts and negotiation, and estate planning.

Campuses: Faribault and North Mankato
Program Start Semesters: Fall, Spring and Summer

The course requirements listed below are specific to the current school year (noted above). If you need to view the program from previous years view our Catalog Archive.

Required Technical Courses (6 Courses)

Select the following courses:

FBMT1112   Foundations for Farm Business Management (4 credits)

This course is an overview of the Farm Business Management Program. The student will be introduced to goal setting, self and business assessment, record keeping, and business projections to provide the foundation for personal and business management progress. Current issues affecting business management are an integral part of the course. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT1121   Preparation for Farm Business Analysis (4 credits)

This course will take the student through a step-by-step procedure to close out a complete year of farm business records. This course will emphasize tax planning, completing inputs to livestock and crop enterprises, and emphasizing cash and liabilities accuracy. A completed business and enterprise analysis will be the course focus. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT1122   Implementing the System Management Plan (4 credits)

This course continues to build on the foundation of farm business management. The student will complete a farm business financial and enterprise analysis. Sound financial record keeping is an integral component. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT1131   Managing and Modifying Farm System Data (4 credits)

This course will help students refine their farm business data system and assist them in applying year-end procedures for farm business analysis. Students improve accuracy in the following areas: farm enterprise analysis, tax planning, data filing, and cash and liability checks. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT1132   Interpreting and Using Farm System Data (4 credits)

This course provides an opportunity for the student to view the farm business and its various components through the application of balance sheets, farm personal and managerial inventories, enterprise reports and historical data. (Prerequisite: None)

FBMT1211   Intro to Farm Business Management (4 credits)

This course introduces basic farm business management concepts. Students will study the farm management planning cycle and develop an understanding of its relationship to: family and farm business goal setting, cash and enterprise accounting principles, and tax planning. (Prerequisites: None)

 

Required Electives (6 Credits)

Select 6 credits from the following courses:

FBMT2201   Special Topics-General Farm Management (1 credits)

Analysis of special topics in crop production for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2202   Special Topics-General Farm Management (1 credits)

Analysis of special topics in crop production for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2203   Special Topics-General Farm Management (1 credits)

Analysis of special topics in crop production for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2204   Special Topics-General Farm Management (1 credits)

Analysis of special topics in crop production for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2205   Special Topics-General Farm Management (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in general farm management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best fit student needs: Tax planning, balance sheet development, cash flow planning, analysis-whole farm, enterprise analysis, record keeping, bench marking, production yields, ration interpretation and goal setting. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2206   Special Topics-General Farm Management (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in general farm management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best fit student needs: Tax planning, balance sheet development, cash flow planning, analysis-whole farm, enterprise analysis, record keeping, bench marking, production yields, ration interpretation and goal setting. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2207   Special Topics-General Farm Management (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in general farm management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best fit student needs: Tax planning, balance sheet development, cash flow planning, analysis-whole farm, enterprise analysis, record keeping, bench marking, production yields, ration interpretation and goal setting. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2208   Special Topics-General Farm Management (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in general farm management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best fit student needs: Tax planning, balance sheet development, cash flow planning, analysis-whole farm, enterprise analysis, record keeping, bench marking, production yields, ration interpretation and goal setting. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2209   Special Topics-General Farm Management (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in general farm management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best fit student needs: Tax planning, balance sheet development, cash flow planning, analysis-whole farm, enterprise analysis, record keeping, bench marking, production yields, ration interpretation and goal setting. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2210   Special Topics-Marketing (1 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in marketing management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best fit student needs: Small grains, corn, soybeans, pork, cattle, milk, canola, edible beans, vegetable crops, sugar beets, grass seed, forages, seed crops, wild rice, sunflowers, other commodities not listed and organic products. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2211   Special Topics-Marketing (1 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in marketing management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best fit student needs: Small grains, corn, soybeans, pork, cattle, milk, canola, edible beans, vegetable crops, sugar beets, grass seed, forages, seed crops, wild rice, sunflowers, other commodities not listed and organic products. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2212   Special Topics-Marketing (1 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in marketing management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best fit student needs: Small grains, corn, soybeans, pork, cattle, milk, canola, edible beans, vegetable crops, sugar beets, grass seed, forages, seed crops, wild rice, sunflowers, other commodities not listed and organic products. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2213   Special Topics-Marketing (1 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in marketing management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best fit student needs: Small grains, corn, soybeans, pork, cattle, milk, canola, edible beans, vegetable crops, sugar beets, grass seed, forages, seed crops, wild rice, sunflowers, other commodities not listed and organic products. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2214   Special Topics-Marketing (1 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in marketing management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best fit student needs: Small grains, corn, soybeans, pork, cattle, milk, canola, edible beans, vegetable crops, sugar beets, grass seed, forages, seed crops, wild rice, sunflowers, other commodities not listed and organic products. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2215   Special Topics-Marketing (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in marketing management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best fit student needs: Small grains, corn, soybeans, pork, cattle, milk, canola, edible beans, vegetable crops, sugar beets, grass seed, forages, seed crops, wild rice, sunflowers, other commodities not listed and organic products. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2216   Special Topics-Marketing (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in marketing management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best fit student needs: Small grains, corn, soybeans, pork, cattle, milk, canola, edible beans, vegetable crops, sugar beets, grass seed, forages, seed crops, wild rice, sunflowers, other commodities not listed and organic products. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2217   Special Topics-Marketing (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in marketing management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best fit student needs: Small grains, corn, soybeans, pork, cattle, milk, canola, edible beans, vegetable crops, sugar beets, grass seed, forages, seed crops, wild rice, sunflowers, other commodities not listed and organic products. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2218   Special Topics-Marketing (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in marketing management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best fit student needs: Small grains, corn, soybeans, pork, cattle, milk, canola, edible beans, vegetable crops, sugar beets, grass seed, forages, seed crops, wild rice, sunflowers, other commodities not listed and organic products. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2219   Special Topics-Marketing (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in marketing management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best fit student needs: Small grains, corn, soybeans, pork, cattle, milk, canola, edible beans, vegetable crops, sugar beets, grass seed, forages, seed crops, wild rice, sunflowers, other commodities not listed and organic products. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2220   Special Topics-Crops (1 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in crop management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Corn, soybeans, alfalfa, mixed grass, small grains, specialty crops (sunflower, berries, seeds, trees, etc.), pasture, corn silage, cover crops and vegetable crops. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2221   Special Topics-Crops (1 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in crop management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Corn, soybeans, alfalfa, mixed grass, small grains, specialty crops (sunflower, berries, seeds, trees, etc.), pasture, corn silage, cover crops and vegetable crops. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2222   Special Topics-Crops (1 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in crop management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Corn, soybeans, alfalfa, mixed grass, small grains, specialty crops (sunflower, berries, seeds, trees, etc.), pasture, corn silage, cover crops and vegetable crops. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2223   Special Topics-Crops (1 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in crop management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Corn, soybeans, alfalfa, mixed grass, small grains, specialty crops (sunflower, berries, seeds, trees, etc.), pasture, corn silage, cover crops and vegetable crops. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2224   Special Topics-Crops (1 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in crop management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Corn, soybeans, alfalfa, mixed grass, small grains, specialty crops (sunflower, berries, seeds, trees, etc.), pasture, corn silage, cover crops and vegetable crops. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2225   Special Topics-Crops (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in crop management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Corn, soybeans, alfalfa, mixed grass, small grains, specialty crops (sunflower, berries, seeds, trees, etc.), pasture, corn silage, cover crops and vegetable crops. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2226   Special Topics-Crops (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in crop management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Corn, soybeans, alfalfa, mixed grass, small grains, specialty crops (sunflower, berries, seeds, trees, etc.), pasture, corn silage, cover crops and vegetable crops. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2227   Special Topics-Crops (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in crop management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Corn, soybeans, alfalfa, mixed grass, small grains, specialty crops (sunflower, berries, seeds, trees, etc.), pasture, corn silage, cover crops and vegetable crops. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2228   Special Topics-Crops (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in crop management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Corn, soybeans, alfalfa, mixed grass, small grains, specialty crops (sunflower, berries, seeds, trees, etc.), pasture, corn silage, cover crops and vegetable crops. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2229   Special Topics-Crops (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in crop management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Corn, soybeans, alfalfa, mixed grass, small grains, specialty crops (sunflower, berries, seeds, trees, etc.), pasture, corn silage, cover crops and vegetable crops. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2230   Special Topics-Livestock (1 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in livestock management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Beef-cow/calf, dairy, swine, sheep, goat, turkey, chicken, dairy heifers, beef market and specialty livestock (organic, honey bees, deer, elk, etc.). (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2231   Special Topics-Livestock (1 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in livestock management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Beef-cow/calf, dairy, swine, sheep, goat, turkey, chicken, dairy heifers, beef market and specialty livestock (organic, honey bees, deer, elk, etc.). (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2232   Special Topics-Livestock (1 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in livestock management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Beef-cow/calf, dairy, swine, sheep, goat, turkey, chicken, dairy heifers, beef market and specialty livestock (organic, honey bees, deer, elk, etc.). (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2233   Special Topics-Livestock (1 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in livestock management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Beef-cow/calf, dairy, swine, sheep, goat, turkey, chicken, dairy heifers, beef market and specialty livestock (organic, honey bees, deer, elk, etc.). (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2234   Special Topics-Livestock (1 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in livestock management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Beef-cow/calf, dairy, swine, sheep, goat, turkey, chicken, dairy heifers, beef market and specialty livestock (organic, honey bees, deer, elk, etc.). (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2235   Special Topics-Livestock (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in livestock management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Beef-cow/calf, dairy, swine, sheep, goat, turkey, chicken, dairy heifers, beef market and specialty livestock (organic, honey bees, deer, elk, etc.). (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2236   Special Topics-Livestock (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in livestock management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Beef-cow/calf, dairy, swine, sheep, goat, turkey, chicken, dairy heifers, beef market and specialty livestock (organic, honey bees, deer, elk, etc.). (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2237   Special Topics-Livestock (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in livestock management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Beef-cow/calf, dairy, swine, sheep, goat, turkey, chicken, dairy heifers, beef market and specialty livestock (organic, honey bees, deer, elk, etc.). (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2238   Special Topics-Livestock (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in livestock management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Beef-cow/calf, dairy, swine, sheep, goat, turkey, chicken, dairy heifers, beef market and specialty livestock (organic, honey bees, deer, elk, etc.). (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2239   Special Topics-Livestock (2 credits)

This course focuses on the analysis of special topics in livestock management for students actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. Student and instructor will choose from said topics to best serve student needs: Beef-cow/calf, dairy, swine, sheep, goat, turkey, chicken, dairy heifers, beef market and specialty livestock (organic, honey bees, deer, elk, etc.). (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2253   System Plans and Projections (2 credits)

This course enables the combination of concepts for preparing farm system plans and projections, and the interaction of possible implications and/or solutions of these concepts. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2325   Ethics in this Business of Agriculture (2 credits)

This course will explore various ways in which a farm business conducts business and address their proper conduct. (Prerequisite: None)

 

PLEASE NOTE: All program plans are preliminary and curriculum may change without notice. Your catalog of record may have different requirements.