Report on a Two-Year Farm Management/Agricultural Mechanics Curriculum Review

The purpose of this project was to review the Farm Management curriculum at the North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) to determine if current curriculum content provides the knowledge and skills needed to be an entry-level farm manager in a contemporary farming operation. The nominal group technique was selected for this curriculum review. Seven area farm managers accepted the invitation and participated in the curriculum review. Three of the seven participants were graduates of the NDSCS farm management program. Program faculty did not participate in the nominal group process. Tables list the items that the participants considered to be "important" knowledge and skills needed by farm management graduates. The final step in the curriculum review process was to provide general recommendations for curriculum changes. Participants were given the program of study for the farm management program and each of the courses in the program were discussed. Course syllabi were reviewed to understand course objectives and outcomes. Participants developed lists of important concepts and strategies for financial analysis, agronomy risk management/Insurance, agricultural technologies, and government interaction. These recommendations are presented in a series of tables. The NDSCS Agriculture Department faculty reviewed the recommendations and suggestions found in the curriculum review summative report, and chose to propose changes to the Farm Management/Agricultural Mechanics program. The report details the course changes that have been approved. (Contains 9 tables.)