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Agri-Business Management
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Program Overview
Agribusiness is the study of agricultural production - managing each step of the supply chain from farm to table and everything in between. A dynamic and complex field, agribusiness is adaptive and flexible, responding to new technological advances while remaining sustainable globally. You’ll graduate with a competitive edge – understanding business fundamentals and industry specific training.
Program Details
Program Code
AGM2J
Credential:
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Duration
36 weeks
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2025 September
London South Campus
Open
2026 January
Simcoe
Open
2026 May
Simcoe
Open
2024 September
London South Campus
Closed
2025 January
Simcoe
Closed
2025 May
Simcoe
Closed
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2025 September
London South Campus
Open
2026 January
Simcoe
Open
2026 May
Simcoe
Open
2024 September
London South Campus
Closed
2025 January
Simcoe
Closed
2025 May
Simcoe
Closed
Your Learning Experience
In just eight months, the specialized training in this program will cover:
- Sales and marketing;
- Human resources and relationship management;
- Occupational health and safety;
- Accounting and finance;
- Food safety and traceability;
- Safe handling and application of pesticides;
- Precision technologies such as GPS and drone applications.
Finding the balance between theory and practice is what Fanshawe does best. Our Agri-Business Management program combines traditional lectures with practical hands-on training, in addition to a six-week field placement, giving you the experience you need to succeed on the fast track to a management career. Watch our program video to learn more.
Agri-Business Management is a one-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate program designed for people who wish to enter a career in the agricultural sector at the supervisory level, or to manage relationships in an agri-business environment typical of a sales, lending or other agricultural services role. Delivery methods of courses include seminars, workshops, lectures, online presentations, field trips and includes a field placement in an agri-business environment.
Some of the courses contained in the Agri-Business Management program also qualify as credits for other Graduate Certificate programs delivered by the Lawrence Kinlin School of Business and are available to be taken online.
Career Information
The agriculture industry is experiencing revolutionary change and growth, driven mostly by technology but also new standards for food safety and the proliferation of farm-to-consumer business ventures. This new reality presents many exciting career opportunities for aspiring agri-business managers. Graduates of Fanshawe’s Agri-Business Management program have the applicable skills to grow their career in a wide variety of agricultural businesses, including very large farms, smaller intensive farming enterprises, food processing and distribution firms, boutique enterprises that market their own products, and agricultural supply firms such as lending or sales enterprises. Graduates have entered the industry in roles such as supervisor in a production facility (e.g. poultry farms, mushroom growers) and supervisor / quality assurance technician in food processing plants.
Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduate employment rates among large colleges in Ontario?
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Marketing Management program:
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Have a positive impact on safeguarding Ontario's food chain and ensuring animal welfare.
Grain Elevator Operator
Purchase grain from farmers, determine the grade, and weight of delivery while maintaining a highly developed awareness of safety procedures.
Senior Agricultural Consultant
Meet or exceed financial targets through strong customer crop plans and tactical plans.
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Learning Outcomes
- Manage key operations (e.g., marketing, recruitment, finance) of a small to medium-sized agricultural enterprise.
- Communicate business-related information persuasively and accurately in oral, written, and graphic formats.
- Manage employees in compliance with provincial Acts to ensure their safety and productivity.
- Manage an agri-business enterprise within the confines of regulatory requirements and public policy.
- Assess new and emerging technologies available for use in an agri-business environment, and arrange for the effective implementation of these technologies.
- Promote an agri-business and its products through new media and other platforms.
- Build and maintain customer relations within agricultural lending and sales contexts.
- Discover innovative solutions to address business problems and opportunities related to an agri-business venture.
- Research and interpret information related to an agri-business enterprise to ensure its efficiency and economic viability.
- Develop strategies for personal and professional development to enhance work performance and maximize opportunities in an agri-business enterprise.
Academic School
Simcoe/Norfolk Regional Campus Coordinator:
Christopher Skinkle
Admission Requirements
A Two- or Three-Year College Diploma or a Degree
(Note: minimum ‘C+’ average or cumulative 2.5
GPA)
OR
Acceptable combination of related work experience and
post-secondary education as judged by the College*
OR
Five years of work experience in the agri-business field as judged
by the College to be equivalent*
Note:
- *Applicants may be required to submit a resume and cover letter that includes details of work experience and may be required to attend an interview.
- *Applicants may also be required to successfully complete a writing and/or numeracy assessment to demonstrate that the applicant has the requisite skills needed for academic success in this program.
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 88 |
| IELTS Academic | Overall score of 6.5 with no score less than 6.0 in any of the four bands |
| CAEL | Overall score of 70 with no score less than 60 in any of the four bands |
| PTE Academic | 59 |
| Cambridge English | Overall score of 176 with no language skill less than 169 |
| ESL4/GAP5 | Minimum grade of 80% in Level 9, 75% in Level 10 |
| Duolingo | Overall score of 120, with no score lower than 105 |
Recommended Academic Preparation
Recommended Academic Preparation
- Study in business or a field of study related to agriculture.
Recommended Personal Preparation
Recommended Personal Preparation
- Applicants should have a sincere interest in working in the agricultural industry. The majority of employment opportunities will be in rural and small to mid-sized communities. Work experience in a related industry will provide very useful background.
Applicant Selection Criteria
Applicant Selection Criteria
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:
- Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
- Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
- Achievement in the Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
The following items are applicable to the program and are time sensitive. Please refer to www.fanshawec.ca/preplacement for important information about preparing for placement by the due date.
Courses
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| MKTG-6022 | Relationship Mgmt & Selling Fundamentals | 3 | ||
This course will emphasize the need for establishing a relationship with customers and potential customers in order to service the customer's business needs. The skills and processes needed to be a successful salesperson will be taught and reinforced through realistic and practical activities. | ||||
| MKTG-6023 | Agricultural Marketing | 3 | ||
Students will examine a variety of marketing models for agri-business enterprises through guest lecture, seminar and field trips. | ||||
| AGRI-6002 | Food Safety & Traceability | 3 | ||
Students will learn the legal requirements and food industry best practices that are designed to ensure safety for consumers as food products transition from field to consumer. Topics include record keeping, coding, tracking and labeling for traceability; harvest, storage, transport and processing practices; and security, packaging, and product labeling. | ||||
| ACCT-5012 | Managerial Accounting | 3 | ||
Managers make extensive use of financial accounting records for operational and strategic decision making. This course emphasizes management accounting topics such as financial statement analysis, cost accounting approaches, cost allocation and analysis, and budgeting. This allows the student to understand the role of accounting in business and how accounting data is used in the decision-making process. | ||||
| MGMT-6089 | Leadership & Management Fundamentals | 3 | ||
In this course, the principles of effective leadership and management are examined with an emphasis on developing strategies for effectively managing groups of people. Situational leadership strategies will be analyzed with a view toward leading organizations through periods of change. Students work collaboratively to examine a variety of workplace issues thereby learning to provide effective leadership as part of the management team. | ||||
| HLTH-6040 | Canadian Occupational Health & Safety | 3 | ||
This course will provide students with an in-depth understanding of health & safety practices and risk management principles in occupational workplaces required by Human Resources Management Professionals. Topics include rights and responsibilities of firms and employees, economic impact of loss control, hazard recognition, assessment and controls for physical, chemical and biological agents, accident prevention, safety metrics, emergency preparedness, WHMIS, WSIB Act, and Occupational Health & Safety Legislation. This course is HRPA approved and is required to write the Comprehensive Knowledge Exam 1 (CKE1) and/or the Comprehensive Knowledge Exam 2 (CKE2). These exams are part of the attainment of the externally accredited entry level Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation (CKE1) and/or the advanced level Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation (CKE2), respectively. You must achieve a minimum of 65% in any one of the nine CHRP/CHRL courses and an overall average of 70% in these nine courses to be eligible to write the CKE1 and/or CKE 2. For further information on this designation, please see: https://www.hrpa.ca/ | ||||
Tuition Summary
Simcoe
London South
*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.