Farm Business Management Diploma

60 Credits    DIP3118/DIP2101,  Academic Catalog 2026-2027

The Farm Business Management program is designed for those actively engaged in the operation and management of a farm business. The purpose of the program is to develop the manager’s ability to organize resources in order to meet business and family goals. Management is the utilization of resources to maximize the return to the scarcest resource which is a continuous decision-making process. The program emphasizes goal setting, the identification of resources, records management, business analysis and interpretation.

This program is eligible for state grant funding only.

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 (12 Courses)

Complete 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)

FBMT2141   Interpreting and Evaluation of Financial Data (4 credits)

This course continues to expand on preparation and evaluation of the farm business analysis, providing guidance towards mastery of business record close-out procedures, tax implications of management decisions, and the monitoring of farm business and family goals. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2142   Interpreting Trends in Business Planning (4 credits)

This course examines whole farm, enterprise, balance sheet, and inventory trends. Current analysis data is compared to historical data in making future farm business planning decisions. Financial ratios are used to indicate the farm financial structure. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2151   Strategies in Farm System Data Management (4 credits)

This course will help the student focus on long-term strategies necessary to maintain and enhance the farm business and personal future financial goals. The student will complete the year by developing an accurate, usable business analysis. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2152   Integrating System Information for Financial Planning (4 credits)

This course uses farm system information to develop a farm financial plan. Interpretation and analysis of the farm system data will enhance the reliability of the farm plan. The comprehensive farm plan will integrate historical trends, farm and personal goals, and financial and enterprise performance of the farm business. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2161   Examination of the Context of Farm System Management (4 credits)

This course is designed to assist students in preparation of improved farm system management procedures. Students in the course will evaluate several years of an improved farm system analysis. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2162   Refining Farm System Management (4 credits)

This course is the culmination of activities designed to enable the student to develop and implement a comprehensive farm business strategic plan. The student will use the components of the Farm Business Management Program to develop and support a farm business strategic plan. (Prerequisites: None)

 

Technical Electives (12 Credits)

Complete 12 credits from the following courses:

FBMT1233   Application of Productive Enterprise Information (2 credits)

This course describes procedures for applying enterprise information provided by computerized analysis of farm business accounts. (Prerequisites: None)

FBMT2200   Special Topics in 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)

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.