Study Guide

Objective

The student understands the management of an agricultural enterprise as a holistic process that rests on the collection of knowledge, the acquisition and analysis of data, the choice of policy options and the implementation of those selected. The student embodies the importance of strategic thinking in the management of an agricultural enterprise, knows the principles of agricultural enterprise management and is able to utilize the results of analyzes and plans in management.

Content

Farm business, specific features of farm business, farmer tasks, operating environment, resource, scenario and synthesis analysis management, strategic and operational management, decision-making process and anticipation of future trends.
Comprehensive management includes strategic thinking and planning, defining strategy as a state of will, i.e. mission, strategy implementation, control, and, if necessary, strategy renewal and operational management.

Materials

Kay, Edwards & Duffy 2019. Farm Management. McGraw-Hill. Olson 2004. Farm Management: Principles and Strategies. Blackwell Publishing Company. Iowa State Press. Ryhänen & Laitila 2012. Yhteistyö ja resurssit maitotiloilla. Verkostomaisen yrittämisen lähtökohtia ja edellytyksiä. Seinäjoen ammattikorkeakoulun julkaisusarja B. Raportteja ja selvityksiä 59. p. 91-151. Ryhänen & Nissinen (eds.) 2011. Kilpailukykyä maidontuotantoon. Toimintaympäristön tarkastelu ja ennakointi. Seinäjoen ammattikorkeakoulun julkaisusarja A. Tutkimuksia 8. p. 35-42 ja 58-74. Ryhänen, M. & Närvä, M. (eds.) 2019. Kokonaisvaltaisella johtamisella kannattavuutta maidontuotantoon. Seinäjoen ammattikorkeakoulun julkaisusarja A. Tutkimuksia 31: 1-178. Ryhänen, M. & Närvä, M. (eds.) 2021. Maitotilayrityksen kokonaisvaltaisen johtamisen käsikirja (released in spring 2021). Ryhänen, M., Närvä, M., Sipiläinen, T. & Rajakorpi, J. 2021. Maitotilayrityksen kokonaisvaltaisen johtamisen työkirja (released in spring 2021). Ryhänen & Sipiläinen (eds.) 2018. Maatalousyrityksen johtaminen ja tuotannon suunnittelu.

Teaching methods

Lessons, team working, collaborative learning.

Employer connections

The management is developed in actual farm businesses. The students act in the active interaction with the farmers. The teacher supports the students in this work. The students draw up a written report to the farmers.

Student workload

134 hours

Evaluation scale

1-5

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Assessment: Passed / failed
The student masters basics of strategic farm management and decision making and is able to apply the knowledge in practice. He/she is able to utilize management tools and analyze the operational environment and development conditions of a farm enterprise.

Qualifications

Basics of agribusiness