Agriculture Profit Maximization

The Profit Maximization Certificate focuses on basic economic concepts that enhance the financial success of an agriculture operation. Potential products to be completed in this certificate include, but are not limited to, a major business structure list, Schedule F tax schedule, enterprise production function, supply/demand graph, and a market price equilibrium graph.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Understand the difference between the major business structures.
Prepare Schedule F tax schedule using financial data.
Determine enterprise production functions for their enterprises and use this information to determine profit-maximizing levels of input and output use.
Demonstrate using supply/demand graphs to determine equilibrium prices for products/services.

Program Requirements

Total Credits 18

Course Number	Course Title	Credits
ABM233ABM2033	Profit Maximization I	3
Lists the major business organizational structures available to agribusiness operations and compare the advantages and disadvantages of each. Document the risk management and financial responsibilities of each. (5-7.5-41.7)
ABM234ABM2034	Profit Maximization II	3
Develops an understanding of basis agricultural business taxes and their preparation. Special emphasis will be placed on alternative rules for depreciating farm property. The student will also document the income tax implications of alternative business organizational structure. (5-7.5-41.7)
ABM235ABM2035	Profit Maximization III	3
Compares the relationship between input levels and the corresponding output. Demonstrate how to calculate the production response from alternative levels of input allocation within an enterprise and among alternative enterprises. (5-7.5-41.7)
ABM236ABM2036	Profit Maximization IV	3
Defines basic economic concepts that enhance the financial success of an agriculture operation. (5-7.5-41.7)
ABM237ABM2037	Profit Maximization V	3
Analyzes production costs and revenue from an economic standpoint. Identifies the production level that allows profits to be maximized. (5-7.5-41.7)
ABM238ABM2038	Profit Maximization VI	3
Examines the concepts that determines how market prices are established in a purely competitive agriculture environment. (5-7.5-41.7)

Program Requirements / Classes

Agriculture Business Records and Business Planning	CERT
Agriculture Financial Analysis	CERT
Agriculture Commodity Marketing	CERT
Agriculture Market Plan Development	CERT
Advanced Agriculture Business Management	CERT
Agriculture Profit Maximization	CERT
Rural Business Entrepreneurship	CERT

Degree Descriptions

Associate of Arts Degree (A.A.) and Associate of Science Degree (A.S.)

The AA and the AS degrees are traditional 2-year degrees specifically designed to transfer to 4-year institutions for the purpose of completing a BA or a BS. They are often referred to as university parallel degrees. The general education requirements are what actually permit the degrees to be called Associates or Arts or Science. The difference between the AS and AA is minimal, with the AA permitting math courses and a science course that are not recognized under the AS degree. Read Colorado's Guaranteed Transfer Policy here.

Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.)

The AGS degree is, at times, articulated to transfer to certain 4-year institutions and programs. There is more room for flexibility in this degree. Generally, if a student decides to transfer to a 4-year school to pursue a BA or BS after earning the AGS, they may be short some of the general education requirements.

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

The Associate of Applied Science degree is rarely pursued by a student who intends to transfer to a 4-year school. It is primarily a degree that prepares a student to go directly into the workforce. It is typically a specific technical career that the student who seeks the AAS is seeking. Again, the general education requirements are less rigid with the AAS degree.

Certificate Programs

Certificates are 1-year technical programs that require no general education courses. Auto Tech, Agri-business, and Cosmetology are Certificate programs. English, math, science, etc. are not required to complete a certificate, although some students choose to take preparatory classes that might help them succeed in the program.