This course provides an introduction to agriculture in the Central Valley, and more specifically in Kern County. Topics include the major crops grown in Kern County and the structure and organization of regional agriculture and food system, specifically the operation, linkages, and functions of its components. Ethical issues in agriculture will also be considered.

This course familiarizes students with the major information and data sources used to monitor economic trends in the agricultural sector. Including the international, national, regional, industry, and occupational levels. Students will locate and download agricultural data from important sources and utilize spreadsheets to organize and analyze the data, charts trends, and concisely summarize findings. Prerequisite: ECON 3030.

An introduction to the theoretical and practical aspects of small-scale organic food production. Emphasis is placed on exploring economic and environmentally sustainable small farm-business production and management practices. Additionally, students will gain hands-on farm work experience through required participation in the CSUB Edible Garden.

This course will apply core management concepts and theories to agribusiness. The course content will center on aspects related to agribusiness planning, organizing, controlling, and directing. Topics will include (but are not limited to): raw material acquisition and planning, financial and operational forecasting, management control, and product marketing/sales/distribution. Cross listed as AGBS 3500 or MGMT 3500.

Core marketing concepts applied to agriculture and the food system. Considers the conceptual foundations of effective marketing and industry practices by growers, processors and packagers, and intermediaries such as wholesalers, distributors, brokers, agents, and retailers. Imparts a forward- looking global perspective by incorporating research findings, technology trends, and international marketing strategies. Incorporates business cases, simulated decision scenarios, guest speakers, and field projects involving local enterprises. Ethical issues are considered and marketing strategies analyzed in the context of customer objectives and stakeholder concerns. Cross listed with MKTG 3510.

Economic policy analysis of agriculture and natural resources with emphasis on California agriculture. Topics include the structure and organization of U.S.'s agriculture and food system, specifically the operation, financing, linkages, and functions of its components; the economic aspects of a wide range of environmental issues including air and water pollution, optimal forest and fisheries management; recycling; cost-benefit policy analysis case studies; and international issues. Prerequisite: ECON 2018.

An introduction to practical considerations of agricultural trade and trade policy analysis. Emphasis is placed on concepts of agricultural trade, analysis of trade policies of major trading partners and the export/import marketing of agricultural products. Also, the interdependencies between the world's food, populations and equitability/poverty problems and possible solutions are explored. Prerequisite: ECON 2018.

The objective of this course is to provide students with the tools necessary to evaluate and manage risk in the agricultural industry. This course provides an introduction to the economic theory, organization, and operating principles of agricultural commodity futures market in the U.S. Emphasis is placed on speculating, hedging, and investing in agricultural commodity futures contracts from the standpoint of the agribusiness entrepreneur. Capital theory is also visited. Prerequisite: ECON 2018.

This course will apply core Food Safety principles, concepts, and theories in agriculture and manufacturing of agriculture products. The course content will center on student's development of hazard analysis which will include microbiological, physical, and chemical hazard based on commodities in the Kern County area. Topics will include (but are not limited to): pesticide management, vendor supply program, develop risk analysis such HACCP or HARPC, FDA Food Modernization Act, FDA documentation requirements, Produce Safety Act, Foreign Supplier Voluntary Program, labeling/nutritional requirement, and Blue Print FDA. This course will contain a one-unit lab component in addition to the two-unit lecture.

This course addresses accounting issues unique to agribusiness. Topics to be covered include: review of basic accounting concepts from the perspective of agribusiness, income taxes, management reports and data sources in agriculture, budgeting, financing, and ratio analysis. Students will learn the differences between cash accounting, accrual accounting, and crop/field accounting. They will also learn what method is most useful for different objectives such as field/crop management, overall farm management, overall farm reporting, tax reporting, reports for lenders, and reports for owners/shareholders. Prerequisite: ACCT 2210. Cross-listed as ACCT 3170 or AGBS 3570.

In-depth studies of selected topic or topics not covered in regular courses are offered on a student demand basis. Topics vary each semester; prerequisites announced for each topic. Conducted on seminar basis. May be repeated for credit with different topics up to a maximum of 3 units.

Internships may be arranged by the department with various agencies, businesses, or industries. Assignments, coordination of work projects with readings and conferences, and grading are the responsibility of the faculty liaison (or course instructor) working with the field supervisor. Graded on a credit, no-credit basis. Department will determine credits and application of credit. May be repeated with different topics up to a maximum of 3 units.

Evaluation and assessment of learning, which has occurred as a result of prior off-campus experience relevant to the curriculum of the department. Requires complementary academic study and/or documentation. Available by petition only, on a credit, no-credit basis. Not open to postgraduate students. Interested students should contact the department office. May be repeated up to a maximum of 6 units.