Middle School Curriculum Unit 18: Marketing Agricultural Products

Lesson 2: The Role and Function of an Agribusiness Manager

STUDENT OBJECTIVES
1. Explain the purpose of agribusiness management. 2. Discuss the role of a manager. 3. Identify responsibilities of the manager.

Agriculture QCC:...............................................................................................1, 5 Language Arts QCC:. 6-71, 75

7-67, 71 8-67, 71

REFERENCES
Cooper, Elmer L. Agriscience: Fundamentals and Applications. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers Herren, Ray V. Exploring Agriscience. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers, Inc. Lee, Jasper S., James G. Leising, and David Lawver. AgriMarketing Technology: Selling and Distribution in the Agricultural Industry. Danville, IL: Interstate Publishers, Inc. Lee, Jasper S.; Patrick, Amanda R.; Vaughn, Rosco; Vaughn-Randel, Shelly; and Murphy, Erin. AgriScience Discovery. Danville, IL: Interstate Publishers, Inc. Nasco. Rich Farmer, Poor Farmer, Allowance, or Charge It (Games). Available from Nasco, Fort Atkinson, WI: 414/563-2446. Newman, Michael E. and Walter J. Willis. Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship (3rd ed.). Danville, IL: Interstate Publishers, Inc.

EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, MATERIALS:

Rich Farmer, Poor Farmer Allowance Charge It

Teaching Procedure
Introduction and Mental Set Many businesses fail because of a poor manager. A good manager will develop goals and objectives to be used as guidelines for a business to

Georgia Middle School Agricultural Education Curriculum, Unit 18 Lesson 2 Updated May 2004

succeed. The managers main objective is to maximize profits with the resources available. 1. Play a game such as Rich Farmer, Poor Farmer, Allowance, or Charge It. After playing the game through once or at a set time, discuss with students what made the difference between having more money, etc, than did the other players. 2. Invite an agribusiness manager in to talk with classes. Discussion 1. Question: What is agribusiness management? Answer: The process of making decisions which help meet established goals and objectives for an agribusiness. 2. Question: What role does the manager serve? Answer: The manager's purpose is to see that providing organization and leadership carries out decisions that are made for the business. 3. Question: What are some characteristics of a successful manager? Answer: Knowledge of business Intuitive Use common sense Effectively communicate Open-minded Analytical This is only a partial list. Students should be able to identify other characteristics as well. 4. Question: Answer: What are some of the functions of a manager? Provide leadership Organize capital, people and facilities Supervise employees Make business decisions

Other Activities Establish small businesses within each class. Allow students to select their own agricultural product(s) to sell. Have each group select a manager for the day to operate the business. Provide time for groups to evaluate the success of the manager. (This activity could work well for laboratory exercises, where students are provided play money to purchase equipment, etc for conducting the project.)

Georgia Middle School Agricultural Education Curriculum, Unit 18 Lesson 2 Updated May 2004

ACADEMIC CONNECTIONS
Language Arts
Middle School Connections in Agriculture Education
Language Arts QCC: Grade 6-71, 75
7-67, 71 8-67, 71

Name____________________________________ Period____ Date______________ Today you covered effective management in agribusiness. In the space below write a paragraph describing the ideal qualities and attitudes of a good agribusiness manager. Then describe someone you know who you feel has the qualities of a good agribusiness manager or who has the potential to become a good agribusiness manager.

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Georgia Middle School Agricultural Education Curriculum, Unit 18 Lesson 2 Updated May 2004 3

_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ ____________________

Summary Conclusion In any business, it is important to have someone in charge. That person is responsible for making sure things are done. If the goal of a business is to make money, the manager must be able to make sound decisions in order to achieve that goal. Evaluation An evaluation is provided at the end of this unit.

Georgia Middle School Agricultural Education Curriculum, Unit 18 Lesson 2 Updated May 2004