Agricultural economics students require the right blend of tools and knowledge to become future farm managers. Olson's Economics of Farm Management in a Global Setting focuses on running a farm as a business. This text prepares students in strategic and operational business planning while covering all essential topics from long-term financing to biofuels. In today’s world where successful farms are subject to ever changing urban, rural, labor, demographics, and technological factors, Olson’s text provides a clear focus and methodology for undergraduate Farm Management students.
Dr. Kent Olson is professor in the Department of Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota. He is involved in applied research, on-campus teaching, and extension education. He has taught farm management for 25 years on campus and in extension settings. His research emphasizes farm level management issues, especially the interaction between farming and the environment, sustainable agriculture, decision-making, alternative production technologies, and the impact of government policies. Dr. Olson has also been the state coordinator for two farm record associations in Minnesota. He grew up on a farm in north-central Iowa, graduated from Iowa State University, and was a farm management extension specialist at the University of California-Davis before joining the faculty at Minnesota in 1985. He and his siblings continue to own and manage a farm in Iowa.
Features
Presents the unique perspective of running a farm as a business.
Strategic business planning framework: accounting, finance, and marketing issues are all well addressed.
Broad range of essential topics from long-term financing, crop management, and modern and international farming issues.
Thorough coverage of modern farming issues with regard to organic crops, farmer’s markets, biofuels, and labor and immigration issues.
International examples from Europe, Brazil, Australia, and Asia.
Significant coverage of core microeconomic and macroeconomic issues and trends.
