Agribusiness & Farm Management

Run the Business That Feeds the World.

Agribusiness & Farm Management teaches students to think like agricultural entrepreneurs — building the financial literacy, strategic planning skills, and market knowledge required to run a profitable farm operation in the modern agricultural economy.

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Program Overview

Agriculture is a complex, capital-intensive, market-driven business.

Agriculture is a business. A complex, capital-intensive, market-driven business that requires as much skill in spreadsheets and strategic planning as it does in the field. The graduates who will lead agricultural enterprises in the next decade need both — and YSA’s Agribusiness program delivers both.

Students in this program study agricultural economics, farm financial management, enterprise analysis, and marketing — applied through the lens of real farm operations at YSA and real industry case studies from across Alberta.

This program is an excellent complement to any production-focused program, and is the primary pathway for students aiming for careers in agricultural lending, commodity marketing, farm consulting, supply chain management, or entrepreneurial farm ownership.

What You’ll Learn

The financial and strategic toolkit of an ag entrepreneur.

Farm financial statements: balance sheets, income statements, cash flow

Enterprise budgeting: cost of production analysis and break-even modeling

Agricultural credit and lending: farm loans, operating lines, and financing structures

Commodity marketing: futures, options, forward contracts, and basis

Supply chain management: from producer to processor to consumer

Farm business structures: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation

Strategic farm planning: succession, expansion, and diversification

Agricultural policy: programs, subsidies, and regulatory environment in Alberta

Human resources in agriculture: labour management and seasonal workforce

Market research and agricultural consumer analysis

Course Pathway

A three-year progression from foundation to mastery.

Year 1 · Grade 10

Foundation

Introduction to Agriculture I
Agricultural Economics Fundamentals
Farm Records & Basic Financial Literacy
Ag Safety & Effective Communications I
Enterprise Analysis Elective I

Year 2 · Grade 11

Specialization

Agribusiness II (Farm Financial Management)
Commodity Marketing & Risk Management
Agricultural Credit & Lending Basics
SAE Project Development — Agribusiness Plan
Supply Chain & Agricultural Marketing

Year 3 · Grade 12

Mastery

Advanced Agribusiness (Strategic Farm Planning & Succession)
Farm Enterprise Capstone (build a complete farm business plan)
Agricultural Policy & Industry Relations
SAE Project Completion & Presentation
Dual-Credit: Medicine Hat College Agricultural Business Program

Certifications & Credentials

Graduates leave with industry credentials that travel.

Dual-credit: Medicine Hat College Agricultural Business

Financial Literacy for Agriculture Certificate (ATB / FCC pathway)

Small Business Development Certificate

Alberta Farm Safety Certificate

Commodity Marketing Foundations (CME or similar)

Career Pathways

Where this program leads.

Farm Manager

Oversee all aspects of a farm operation, from production to financial management.

Agricultural Lender / Account Manager

Evaluate and finance farm businesses at FCC, ATB, or credit unions.

Grain Merchandiser / Commodity Trader

Buy, sell, and manage grain and commodity contracts.

Agricultural Consultant

Provide farm business planning and management advice to producers.

Farm Supply / Input Sales Manager

Manage commercial relationships for fertilizer, seed, or equipment companies.

Agricultural Policy Analyst

Work within government or industry organizations on farm policy.

Co-operative / Industry Organization Manager

Lead member-owned agricultural businesses.

Farm Succession Consultant

Advise farm families on transferring operations across generations.

Industry Connections

Built with the lenders, traders, and consultants running ag’s business side.

Agribusiness & Farm Management at YSA is shaped by agricultural lenders, commodity organizations, and post-secondary partners across Alberta — mentors who help design the curriculum and open doors to placements.

Become an Industry Partner

Medicine Hat College — dual-credit Agricultural Business program
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) — financial literacy programming and mentorship
ATB Agriculture Banking — guest speakers on farm lending and financial planning
Alberta Wheat Commission, Canola Council — commodity marketing connections
YSA Advisory Council agribusiness professionals and farm management consultants

SAE Opportunities

Real projects. Real outcomes.

Every YSA student designs and runs a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project. Here are five starting points for Agribusiness & Farm Management students:

Build a complete business plan for a real or hypothetical farm enterprise.

Manage the financial records for a YSA school-based enterprise and produce an annual report.

Develop a commodity marketing plan for a specific crop — analyze hedging strategies.

Interview a farm lender and write a report on how agricultural credit decisions are made.

Research succession planning for a specific family farm case study and present recommendations.

Apply Now

Ready to build a career in Agribusiness & Farm Management?

Applications for Fall 2027 are open. Get in touch — or jump straight in.

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