First Year Participants - Enrollment and registration takes place annually in the Fall. The registration form is available from the instructor. Registration may be done online but requires preapproval from the instructor. Class sessions begin in November. Contact the instructor for additional course information.

Second, Third and Fifth Year Participants - Registration takes place annually in the Fall. Registration forms are mailed to returning particpant in September.  Seminar/Class sessions begin in October.

Agribusiness Management Program (Non-Credit)

The Agribusiness Management Program focuses on the basic principles of agricultural recordkeeping and financial management education.
These non-credit courses provide agricultural business education for owners, family members and key personnel, including –

• Use of recordkeeping software
• Use of spreadsheet software
• Setting goals
• Staying informed about business and farming regulations
• Understanding cost of production
• Market fluctuations
• Interpreting and learning agricultural policy
• Succession planning and resolving family transition issues
• Payroll and employee issues
• Emerging and advancing technology.

The major emphasis is on the development and maintenance of a complete set of records and the skills necessary to interpret the records and use the information to make sound agricultural business management decisions regardless of the size of the farm business. The program is designed for a minimum commitment of three years, but because of ever-changing technology, policies and practices and changes in key personnel, an agricultural business may choose to enroll for numerous years.

These classes are taught in a classroom and on line with additional instruction at your place of business for independent instruction that is tailored to fit your needs. Distance and onlinetrianing will be availble this Fall Term 2022.

Agribusiness Management Year 1 
Emphasizes setting agricultural business goals; developing a complete set of farm financial records; and analyzing those records for management decision making.

Agribusiness Management Year 2 
Monitors and assesses financial position of the agricultural business based upon records and analysis obtained in AgriBusiness Management YEAR 1. Explores computerized accounting and income tax management.

Agribusiness Management Year 3 
Focuses on reorganizing the agricultural business based on accumulated financial data. Further develops estate, retirement and labor management plans.

Agribusiness Management Year 5 
Applies recordkeeping skills to individual businesses. Seminars scheduled and at-business training and support of record keeping, succession planning and employment policy.

1. How old is the AgriBusiness Management Program at Chemeketa Community College?
Answer:The Program was started in the fall of 1970.

2. Does the size or type of farm matter?
Answer: No. This is a business management class.  The concepts and training provided are not directed by the size/type of farm but rather the discipline of running a business.

3. Is it a degree program?
Answer: No. The courses are taught on a non-credit basis with the student population consisting typically of “agricultural families” and managers of family held agricultural businesses.

4. Does this class train me how to keep better records, analyze these records and manage a farm business.
Answer: Yes!  ABM is the epitome of workforce training, vocational training and professional development as it recognizes the training needs on an individual needs and meets those needs to make the individual better suited to the job.

5. Does the Instructor assist in soliciting new students?
Answer: Yes. The Instructors are constantly seeking out new students from the agricultural community. Traditionally the instructors are very active in the farm community.

6. How many individuals from the same business may participate?
Answer: The business may have more than one individual attending the class at the same time. It’s not uncommon to have situations including “husband/wife”, “sister/brother”, “niece/uncle”, “owner/bookkeeper”, or other combinations including family members and employees.

7. How often are classes held?
Answer: Traditionally the classes are divided into two lecture groups with 11 sessions for the “Year One” and six sessions for “Years 2-5”. Optional QuickBooks and Excel technology workshops are offered for those seeking additional training. All sessions are held from October to April.

8. Does the Program follow any specific standards in its presentation of farm accounting?
Answer: Yes. The program adheres to the criteria established by the Farm Financial Standards Council and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

9. What does an individual expect to learn from the course?
Answer: During the first year a foundation on keeping complete farm business records is taught along with learning about cost of production, budgeting, business structures and establishing goals.

10. What is the age of the typical student?
Answer: Typical students fall into no age group. Students range in age from their teens to their 80’s.

11. Does all instruction occur in a campus classroom?
Answer: No. Much of the instruction occurs while meeting with families, managers and bookkeepers at their place of business; working with them on their specific financial and bookkeeping issues in a confidential environment.

12. Is record keeping the only issue discussed?
Answer: No. The Instructors cover many topics selected for their relevancy to Oregon family farms. Additional examples include: succession planning; farm contracts; water rights; labor law; lending practices; checkbook and account reconciling; enterprise and cost of production analysis; and updates on tax planning and strategies.

13. Do the Instructors use agricultural professionals to present a topic?
Answer: Yes. The Instructors utilize professionals from around the area such as attorneys and CPA’s to present topics that are relevant to the success of your business.

14. Do the instructors have farming backgrounds and experiences in agriculture?
Answer: The college goes to great length to secure instructor with farming backgrounds combined with solid education in farm business management. It is quite likely that instructors grew up on farms and have owned farms. Collectively they have experience in lending, appraisals, real estate, marketing, accounting, business management, employee management and agricultural education.

Contact the course instructor for more information and to receive course application and registration forms.

AgriBusiness Management - Year 1 

Class Location: Chemeketa Community College, Salem Campus - Building 60 Room 104

Class Dates:  SEE BELOW - SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Class Time: 9:00 AM to Noon

Instructor: Phil La Vine

Note: Please schedule additional confidential on-farm assistance/training to meet your specific business needs.

Agribusiness Management 2022-23 Seminar Schedule - Classes 2, 3 & 5

The 2022-23 Seminar Sessions Dates are as follows with details to follow.

Seminar Session 1 - Tuesday, October 25, 2022 

In classroom and Zoom Presentation 9am to noon

• LENDERS PANEL - Back by Popular demand.  Ag Lenders review of programs. Interest Rates, Crop Conditions and Financing Particulars

Seminar Session 2 -  Tuesday, December 13, 2022 

In Classroom and Zoom Presentation 9am to noon

• Succession, Planning, Legal and Taxation Implications and Structure

Seminar Session 3 - Tuesday, January 10 , 2023 

In Classroom and Zoom Presentation at 9am to noon

• Farm Family Dynamics and Translation Services for farm business documents.

Seminar Session 4 - January 24, 2023 

In Classroom and Zoom Presentation at 9am to noon

Seminar Session 5 - Tuesday, February 14, 2023

In Classroom and Zoom Presentation at 9am to noon

• Part One
  • Oregon OSHA - Keeping it safe on the Farm with Compliance

• Part Two
  • Employee Performance Reviews and Employee Documentation

Seminar Session 6 - Tuesday, February 28, 2023 

In Classroom and Zoom Presentation at 9am to noon

• Part One
  • Farm Fire Safety, Heat Safety and Emerging Issues

• Part Two
  • Land Owner & Neighbor Legal Issues
    • Easements and related concerns including the importance of clear title histories and property access issues
    • Managing Property disputes including property lines, nuisances such as trees along property lines or shared wells, etc.
    • Tips and benefits to talking and negotiating with neighbors
    • Question and answer