University of Guelph
Foundations in
Agricultural Management
Are you ready to take your agricultural business to the next level?
Then you're in the right place! In this course, you'll explore agricultural
business strategy and planning, farm management, succession
planning and financial fundamentals. Invest a few hours in this free,
online course1 and you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to make
a lifetime of better informed decisions for yourself and your business.
Invest in your business. Invest in youself.
University of Guelph
Foundations in
Agricultural Management
Are you ready to take your agricultural business to the next level? Then you're in the right place! In this course, you'll explore agricultural business strategy and planning, farm management, succession planning and financial fundamentals. Invest a few hours in this free, online course1 and you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to make a lifetime of better informed decisions for yourself and your business. Invest in your business. Invest in youself.
Are you ready to take your agricultural business to the next level?
Then you're in the right place! In this course, you'll explore agricultural
business strategy and planning, farm management, succession
planning and financial fundamentals. Invest a few hours in this free,
online course1 and you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to make
a lifetime of better informed decisions for yourself and your business.
Invest in your business. Invest in youself.
Take Your Agricultural Business To The Next Level
Learn From The Best
Learn For Free
Learn For Free
Learn At Your Pace
Modules
Module 1:
Business Planning & Strategy
Module 2:
Financial Literacy I
Module 3:
Financial Literacy II
Module 5:
Risk Management
Module 6:
Family Farm Transition Planning I
Module 7:
Family Farm Transition Planning II
MODULE 1 OVERVIEW:
Addressing the rapid pace of change in the agriculture industry, this module covers the need for a proactive approach to managing your agriculture business, providing actionable ideas to move your business forward, defining your goals and creating a formalized business plan.
MODULE 2 OVERVIEW:
In this first of two modules on Financial Literacy, you will learn the importance of knowing your costs of production, how to make asset purchase decisions and the implications of equipment and land purchases on cash flow.
MODULE 3 OVERVIEW:
The second of two parts on Financial Literacy, this module will help you determine the financial health of your business and secure credit for future opportunities. It covers how to prepare a balance sheet, an income statement complete a cash flow budget and build a strong relationship with your lender.
MODULE 4 OVERVIEW:
Your people are your most valuable asset. This module offers guidance on how to attract, hire and keep the right employees, how to build and enhance commitment, motivation and performance and how to assess your own leadership style to bring out the best in your people.
MODULE 5 OVERVIEW:
Good farm management requires accounting for risk. In this module, you’ll learn the five main sources of agricultural risk, how risk can affect your business and how risk management strategies can help you reduce losses and explore upside opportunities.
MODULE 6 OVERVIEW:
This first of two modules on farm transition planning covers the two phases of succession planning: The preparation phase, in which the vision for the family and the farm is identified, and the documentation phase that formalizes the plans to achieve that vision.
MODULE 7 OVERVIEW:
Learn how to prepare for a successful transition of the farm business. This module touches on three essential areas that can help both senior and junior family members nurture the long-term success of the farm business: Effective leadership, effective communications and effective conflict resolution.
MODULE 8 OVERVIEW:
In this final module, you will learn about the state of farmer mental health in Canada, the impact of poor mental health on your life and your business, and available resources to help. Specific ways to promote farmer well-being are also covered.
Professor:
Professor:
Professor:
Professor:
Professor:
Professor:
Professor:
Professor:
Mike von Massow
University of Guelph
Ontario Agricultural College
Associate Professor,
Department of Food, Agricultural
and Resource Economics
Richard Vyn
University of Guelph,
Ridgetown Campus
Ontario Agricultural College
Associate Professor of
Agricultural Economics
Ken McEwan
University of Guelph,
Ridgetown Campus
Ontario Agricultural College
Professor of Production
Economics and Agribusiness
Sara Mann
University of Guelph
Gordon S. Lang School of
Business and Economics
Professor of Leadership and Management
Getu Hailu
University of Guelph
Ontario Agricultural College
Professor, Department of Food,
Agricultural and
Resource Economics
Alfons Weersink
University of Guelph
Ontario Agricultural College
Professor, Department of
Food, Agricultural and
Resource Economics
Julia Christensen Hughes
University of Guelph
Gordon S. Lang School of
Business and Economics
Former Dean
Andria Jones-Bitton
University of Guelph
Ontario Veterinary College
Associate Professor, Department
of Population Medicine
MODULE 1 OVERVIEW:
Addressing the rapid pace of change in the agriculture industry, this module covers the need for a proactive approach to managing your agriculture business, providing actionable ideas to move your business forward, defining your goals and creating a formalized business plan.
MODULE 2 OVERVIEW:
In this first of two modules on Financial Literacy, you will learn the importance of knowing your costs of production, how to make asset purchase decisions and the implications of equipment and land purchases on cash flow.
MODULE 3 OVERVIEW:
The second of two parts on Financial Literacy, this module will help you determine the financial health of your business and secure credit for future opportunities. It covers how to prepare a balance sheet, an income statement complete a cash flow budget and build a strong relationship with your lender.
MODULE 4 OVERVIEW:
Your people are your most valuable asset. This module offers guidance on how to attract, hire and keep the right employees, how to build and enhance commitment, motivation and performance and how to assess your own leadership style to bring out the best in your people.
MODULE 5 OVERVIEW:
Good farm management requires accounting for risk. In this module, you’ll learn the five main sources of agricultural risk, how risk can affect your business and how risk management strategies can help you reduce losses and explore upside opportunities.
MODULE 6 OVERVIEW:
This first of two modules on farm transition planning covers the two phases of succession planning: The preparation phase, in which the vision for the family and the farm is identified, and the documentation phase that formalizes the plans to achieve that vision.
MODULE 7 OVERVIEW:
Learn how to prepare for a successful transition of the farm business. This module touches on three essential areas that can help both senior and junior family members nurture the long-term success of the farm business: Effective leadership, effective communications and effective conflict resolution.
MODULE 8 OVERVIEW:
In this final module, you will learn about the state of farmer mental health in Canada, the impact of poor mental health on your life and your business, and available resources to help. Specific ways to promote farmer well-being are also covered.
Professor:
Mike von Massow
University of Guelph
Ontario Agricultural College
Associate Professor,
Department of Food, Agricultural
and Resource Economics
Richard Vyn
University of Guelph,
Ridgetown Campus
Ontario Agricultural College
Associate Professor of
Agricultural Economics
Ken McEwan
University of Guelph,
Ridgetown Campus
Ontario Agricultural College
Professor of Production
Economics and Agribusiness
Sara Mann
University of Guelph
Gordon S. Lang School of
Business and Economics
Professor of Leadership and Management
Getu Hailu
University of Guelph
Ontario Agricultural College
Professor, Department of Food,
Agricultural and
Resource Economics
Alfons Weersink
University of Guelph
Ontario Agricultural College
Professor, Department of
Food, Agricultural and
Resource Economics
Julia Christensen Hughes
University of Guelph
Gordon S. Lang School of
Business and Economics
Former Dean
Andria Jones-Bitton
University of Guelph
Ontario Veterinary College
Associate Professor, Department
of Population Medicine
Modules
Module 1:
Business Planning & Strategy
LEARN MORE >
Module 1:
Business Planning & Strategy
Module overview:
Addressing the rapid pace of change in the agriculture industry, this module covers the need for a proactive approach to managing your agriculture business, providing actionable ideas to move your business forward, defining your goals and creating a formalized business plan.
Professor:
Mike von Massow
University of Guelph Ontario Agricultural College
Module 2:
Financial Literacy I
LEARN MORE >
Module 2:
Financial Literacy I
Module overview:
In this first of two modules on Financial Literacy, you will learn the importance of knowing your costs of production, how to make asset purchase decisions and the implications of equipment and land purchases on cash flow.
Professor:
Richard Vyn
University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus Ontario Agricultural College
Module 3:
Financial Literacy II
LEARN MORE >
Module 3:
Financial Literacy II
Module overview:
The second of two parts on Financial Literacy, this module will help you determine the financial health of your business and secure credit for future opportunities. It covers how to prepare a balance sheet, an income statement complete a cash flow budget and build a strong relationship with your lender.
Professor:
Ken McEwan
University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus Ontario Agricultural College
Module 4:
Managing Your Most Valuable Asset - Your People
LEARN MORE >
Module 4:
Managing Your Most Valuable Asset - Your People
Module overview:
Your people are your most valuable asset. This module offers guidance on how to attract, hire and keep the right employees, how to build and enhance commitment, motivation and performance and how to assess your own leadership style to bring out the best in your people.
Professor:
Sara Mann
University of Guelph Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics
Module 5:
Risk Management
LEARN MORE >
Module 5:
Risk Management
Module overview:
Good farm management requires accounting for risk. In this module, you’ll learn the five main sources of agricultural risk, how risk can affect your business and how risk management strategies can help you reduce losses and explore upside opportunities.
Professor:
Getu Hailu
University of Guelph Ontario Agricultural College
Module 6:
Family Farm Transition Planning I
LEARN MORE >
Module 6:
Family Farm Transition Planning I
Module overview:
This first of two modules on farm transition planning covers the two phases of succession planning: The preparation phase, in which the vision for the family and the farm is identified, and the documentation phase that formalizes the plans to achieve that vision.
Professor:
Alfons Weersink
University of Guelph Ontario Agricultural College
Module 7:
Family Farm Transition Planning II
LEARN MORE >
Module 7:
Family Farm Transition Planning II
Module overview:
Learn how to prepare for a successful transition of the farm business. This module touches on three essential areas that can help both senior and junior family members nurture the long-term success of the farm business: Effective leadership, effective communications and effective conflict resolution.
Professor:
Julia Christensen Hughes
University of Guelph Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics
Module 8:
Managing Mental Health & Building Resilience
LEARN MORE >
Module 8:
Managing Mental Health & Building Resilience
Module overview:
In this final module, you will learn about the state of farmer mental health in Canada, the impact of poor mental health on your life and your business, and available resources to help. Specific ways to promote farmer well-being are also covered.
Professor:
Andria Jones-Bitton
University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College
Register For Free!
Successfully complete all 8 learning modules and tests to receive a University of Guelph Foundations in Agricultural Management course completion certificate2.
Register For Free!
Successfully complete all 8 learning modules and tests to receive a University of Guelph Foundations in Agricultural Management course completion certificate2.
Professors
Mike von Massow
Module 1: Business Planning & Strategy
COLLEGE:
Ontario Agricultural College
AREA OF EXPERTISE:
Food supply chains, operations and agribusiness management
BIO:
Mike von Massow is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics and the OAC Chair in Food Systems Leadership. He studies food supply chains and consumer decision making relative to food products. Mike teaches Operations Management and Advanced Agribusiness Management to both undergraduate and graduate students. He worked in industry for almost 20 years before going back to school to do a Ph.D. and join the faculty at the University of Guelph. Mike speaks frequently about issues relating to food and agriculture and is a regular contributor to the media. He has a blog and a podcast in which he talks about issues from farm-to-fork to help build a broader understanding (foodfocusguelph.ca).
Richard Vyn
Module 2: Financial Literacy I
COLLEGE:
Ontario Agricultural College
AREA OF EXPERTISE:
Agricultural economics
BIO:
Richard Vyn is an Associate Professor at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus. He grew up on a cash-crop farm near Guelph and completed his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics at the University of Guelph. Richard teaches agricultural economics and business courses at the Ridgetown Campus, and his primary areas of research are farmland values and economic analysis of agricultural production practices.
Ken McEwan
Module 3: Financial Literacy II
COLLEGE:
Ontario Agricultural College
AREA OF EXPERTISE:
Applied agricultural economics related to farm and agribusiness management. Specialty areas include: agricultural input pricing, farm benchmarking and evaluating the Canadian swine industry supply chain.
BIO:
Ken McEwan is the past Director for the University of Guelph - Ridgetown Campus, and is a College Research Professor. He has been teaching and conducting research at the Ridgetown Campus since 1990. Prior to joining the University, he worked as a Farm Management Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in various locations throughout the province. He has written and presented extensively on the structure of the Canadian swine industry, been an expert witness at several agricultural hearings in both Canada and United States, and a member of numerous pork trade missions to Europe, Japan and China. Ken is a graduate of the University of Guelph B.Sc. (Agriculture)
Sara Mann
Module 4: Managing Your Most Valuable Asset - Your People
COLLEGE:
Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics
AREA OF EXPERTISE:
Performance management, leadership, compensation, labour issues in the agri-food industry
BIO:
Sara Mann is the Associate Dean Academic and Professor of Leadership and Management at the Lang School of Business & Economics at the University of Guelph. She completed her Bachelor of Commerce and MBA at McMaster University, and a Ph.D. in Management at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. Prior to going back to school to complete her Ph.D., Sara worked as a Supply Chain Analyst for Kraft Foods and Stelco. Her areas of expertise include leadership, performance management, compensation and labour issues in the Agri-Food sector. Sara teaches in the MBA and the Master of Leadership programs at Lang, and has delivered dozens of Executive Training seminars to organizations including: Toronto Police Service, Waterloo Regional Police, Ontario Agribusiness Association, Syngenta, Sylvite, Ontario Pork, Thompsons Ltd., Southwest Ag, and many others.
Getu Hailu
Module 5: Risk Management
COLLEGE:
Ontario Agricultural College
AREA OF EXPERTISE:
Production economics (productivity and efficiency), agribusiness finance, risk management (hedging with futures and options) and food demand analysis
BIO:
Getu Hailu studies production economics (productivity and efficiency), agribusiness finance, risk management (hedging with futures and options) and food demand analysis. His research has appeared in numerous professional journals - American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Journal of Economic Psychology, Journal of Futures Market, Journal of Productivity Analysis, Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics. Getu holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Alberta. Getu earned Bachelor's and Master’s degrees from Haramaya University.
Alfons Weersink
Module 6: Family Farm Transition Planning I
COLLEGE:
Ontario Agricultural College
AREA OF EXPERTISE:
Agricultural economics, new technology, policy
BIO:
Alfons Weersink is a professor in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource (FARE) in the University of Guelph. He has been at Guelph since the completion of his Ph.D. at Cornell University. His research focuses on the impact of new technology and government policy on the decisions made by farmers and the effect of those choices on markets and the environment.
Julia Christensen Hughes
Module 7: Family Farm Transition Planning II
COLLEGE:
Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics
AREA OF EXPERTISE:
Leadership development and strategic human resource management, effective farm-family communication and conflict resolution
BIO:
Julia Christensen Hughes is the former (founding) Dean of the Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph. An expert in employee engagement and talent management, instructor in the Agriculture Management Excellence program, contributor to Country Guide and a farm family coach, Julia has been helping farmers enhance their leadership and communications skills and embrace a strategic approach to human resource management for over thirty years.
Andria Jones-Bitton
Module 8: Managing Mental Health & Building Resilience
COLLEGE:
Ontario Veterinary College
AREA OF EXPERTISE:
Epidemiology, mental health and well-being of farmers, veterinarians, and veterinary students
BIO:
Andria Jones-Bitton is a veterinarian, epidemiologist, Associate Professor in the Department of Population Medicine,and Director of Well-Being Programming at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. Her research centres on the epidemiology of mental health and resilience in the veterinary and agricultural sectors. Andria has completed a certificate program in Applied Positive Psychology and is a certified resilience trainer. As a result of her many achievements, Andria has been awarded the Brigid Rivoire Award for Champions of Agricultural Mental Health, two Distinguished Professor Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching, and the Ontario Veterinary College Alumni Association Distinguished Young Alumnus Award. Andria loves the veterinary profession and Canadian agriculture, and is proud to work with Canadian farmers, veterinarians, and students.
Professors
Module 1:
Mike von Massow
LEARN MORE >
Mike von Massow
Module 1: Business Planning & Strategy
College:
Ontario Agricultural College
Area of Expertise:
Food supply chains, operations and agribusiness management
Bio:
Mike von Massow is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics and the OAC Chair in Food Systems Leadership. He studies food supply chains and consumer decision making relative to food products. Mike teaches Operations Management and Advanced Agribusiness Management to both undergraduate and graduate students. He worked in industry for almost 20 years before going back to school to do a Ph.D. and join the faculty at the University of Guelph. Mike speaks frequently about issues relating to food and agriculture and is a regular contributor to the media. He has a blog and a podcast in which he talks about issues from farm-to-fork to help build a broader understanding (foodfocusguelph.ca).
Module 2:
Richard Vyn
LEARN MORE >
Richard Vyn
Module 2: Financial Literacy I
College:
Ontario Agricultural College
Area of Expertise:
Agricultural economics
Bio:
Richard Vyn is an Associate Professor at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus. He grew up on a cash-crop farm near Guelph and completed his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics at the University of Guelph. Richard teaches agricultural economics and business courses at the Ridgetown Campus, and his primary areas of research are farmland values and economic analysis of agricultural production practices.
Module 3:
Ken McEwan
LEARN MORE >
Ken McEwan
Module 3: Financial Literacy II
College:
Ontario Agricultural College
Area of Expertise:
Applied agricultural economics related to farm and agribusiness management. Specialty areas include: agricultural input pricing, farm benchmarking and evaluating the Canadian swine industry supply chain.
Bio:
Ken McEwan is the past Director for the University of Guelph - Ridgetown Campus, and is a College Research Professor. He has been teaching and conducting research at the Ridgetown Campus since 1990. Prior to joining the University, he worked as a Farm Management Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in various locations throughout the province. He has written and presented extensively on the structure of the Canadian swine industry, been an expert witness at several agricultural hearings in both Canada and United States, and a member of numerous pork trade missions to Europe, Japan and China. Ken is a graduate of the University of Guelph B.Sc. (Agriculture)
Module 4:
Sara Mann
LEARN MORE >
Sara Mann
Module 4: Managing Your Most Valuable Asset - Your People
College:
Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics
Area of Expertise:
Performance management, leadership, compensation, labour issues in the agri-food industry
Bio:
Sara Mann is the Associate Dean Academic and Professor of Leadership and Management at the Lang School of Business & Economics at the University of Guelph. She completed her Bachelor of Commerce and MBA at McMaster University, and a Ph.D. in Management at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. Prior to going back to school to complete her Ph.D., Sara worked as a Supply Chain Analyst for Kraft Foods and Stelco. Her areas of expertise include leadership, performance management, compensation and labour issues in the Agri-Food sector. Sara teaches in the MBA and the Master of Leadership programs at Lang, and has delivered dozens of Executive Training seminars to organizations including: Toronto Police Service, Waterloo Regional Police, Ontario Agribusiness Association, Syngenta, Sylvite, Ontario Pork, Thompsons Ltd., Southwest Ag, and many others.
Module 5:
Getu Hailu
LEARN MORE >
Getu Hailu
Module 5: Risk Management
College:
Ontario Agricultural College
Area of Expertise:
Production economics (productivity and efficiency), agribusiness finance, risk management (hedging with futures and options) and food demand analysis
Bio:
Getu Hailu studies production economics (productivity and efficiency), agribusiness finance, risk management (hedging with futures and options) and food demand analysis. His research has appeared in numerous professional journals - American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Journal of Economic Psychology, Journal of Futures Market, Journal of Productivity Analysis, Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics. Getu holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Alberta. Getu earned Bachelor's and Master’s degrees from Haramaya University.
Module 6:
Alfons Weersink
LEARN MORE >
Alfons Weersink
Module 6: Family Farm Transition Planning I
College:
Ontario Agricultural College
Area of Expertise:
Agricultural economics, new technology, policy
Bio:
Alfons Weersink is a professor in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource (FARE) in the University of Guelph. He has been at Guelph since the completion of his Ph.D. at Cornell University. His research focuses on the impact of new technology and government policy on the decisions made by farmers and the effect of those choices on markets and the environment.
Module 7:
Julia Christensen Hughes
LEARN MORE >
Julia Christensen Hughes
Module 7: Family Farm Transition Planning II
College:
Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics
Area of Expertise:
Leadership development and strategic human resource management, effective farm-family communication and conflict resolution
Bio:
Julia Christensen Hughes is the former (founding) Dean of the Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph. An expert in employee engagement and talent management, instructor in the Agriculture Management Excellence program, contributor to Country Guide and a farm family coach, Julia has been helping farmers enhance their leadership and communications skills and embrace a strategic approach to human resource management for over thirty years.
Module 8:
Andria Jones-Bitton
LEARN MORE >
Andria Jones-Bitton
Module 8: Managing Mental Health & Building Resilience
College:
Ontario Veterinary College
Area of Expertise:
Epidemiology, mental health and well-being of farmers, veterinarians, and veterinary students
Bio:
Andria Jones-Bitton is a veterinarian, epidemiologist, Associate Professor in the Department of Population Medicine,and Director of Well-Being Programming at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. Her research centres on the epidemiology of mental health and resilience in the veterinary and agricultural sectors. Andria has completed a certificate program in Applied Positive Psychology and is a certified resilience trainer. As a result of her many achievements, Andria has been awarded the Brigid Rivoire Award for Champions of Agricultural Mental Health, two Distinguished Professor Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching, and the Ontario Veterinary College Alumni Association Distinguished Young Alumnus Award. Andria loves the veterinary profession and Canadian agriculture, and is proud to work with Canadian farmers, veterinarians, and students.
Professors
Mike von Massow
Module 1: Business Planning & Strategy
COLLEGE:
Ontario Agricultural College
AREA OF EXPERTISE:
Food supply chains, operations and agribusiness management
BIO:
Mike von Massow is an Associate Professor in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics and the OAC Chair in Food Systems Leadership. He studies food supply chains and consumer decision making relative to food products. Mike teaches Operations Management and Advanced Agribusiness Management to both undergraduate and graduate students. He worked in industry for almost 20 years before going back to school to do a Ph.D. and join the faculty at the University of Guelph. Mike speaks frequently about issues relating to food and agriculture and is a regular contributor to the media. He has a blog and a podcast in which he talks about issues from farm-to-fork to help build a broader understanding (foodfocusguelph.ca).
Richard Vyn
Module 2: Financial Literacy I
COLLEGE:
Ontario Agricultural College
AREA OF EXPERTISE:
Agricultural economics
BIO:
Richard Vyn is an Associate Professor at the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus. He grew up on a cash-crop farm near Guelph and completed his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics at the University of Guelph. Richard teaches agricultural economics and business courses at the Ridgetown Campus, and his primary areas of research are farmland values and economic analysis of agricultural production practices.
Ken McEwan
Module 3: Financial Literacy II
COLLEGE:
Ontario Agricultural College
AREA OF EXPERTISE:
Applied agricultural economics related to farm and agribusiness management. Specialty areas include: agricultural input pricing, farm benchmarking and evaluating the Canadian swine industry supply chain.
BIO:
Ken McEwan is the past Director for the University of Guelph - Ridgetown Campus, and is a College Research Professor. He has been teaching and conducting research at the Ridgetown Campus since 1990. Prior to joining the University, he worked as a Farm Management Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in various locations throughout the province. He has written and presented extensively on the structure of the Canadian swine industry, been an expert witness at several agricultural hearings in both Canada and United States, and a member of numerous pork trade missions to Europe, Japan and China. Ken is a graduate of the University of Guelph B.Sc. (Agriculture)
Sara Mann
Module 4: Managing Your Most Valuable Asset - Your People
COLLEGE:
Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics
AREA OF EXPERTISE:
Performance management, leadership, compensation, labour issues in the agri-food industry
BIO:
Sara Mann is the Associate Dean Academic and Professor of Leadership and Management at the Lang School of Business & Economics at the University of Guelph. She completed her Bachelor of Commerce and MBA at McMaster University, and a Ph.D. in Management at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. Prior to going back to school to complete her Ph.D., Sara worked as a Supply Chain Analyst for Kraft Foods and Stelco. Her areas of expertise include leadership, performance management, compensation and labour issues in the Agri-Food sector. Sara teaches in the MBA and the Master of Leadership programs at Lang, and has delivered dozens of Executive Training seminars to organizations including: Toronto Police Service, Waterloo Regional Police, Ontario Agribusiness Association, Syngenta, Sylvite, Ontario Pork, Thompsons Ltd., Southwest Ag, and many others.
Getu Hailu
Module 5: Risk Management
COLLEGE:
Ontario Agricultural College
AREA OF EXPERTISE:
Production economics (productivity and efficiency), agribusiness finance, risk management (hedging with futures and options) and food demand analysis
BIO:
Getu Hailu studies production economics (productivity and efficiency), agribusiness finance, risk management (hedging with futures and options) and food demand analysis. His research has appeared in numerous professional journals - American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Journal of Economic Psychology, Journal of Futures Market, Journal of Productivity Analysis, Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics. Getu holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Alberta. Getu earned Bachelor's and Master’s degrees from Haramaya University.
Alfons Weersink
Module 6: Family Farm Transition Planning I
COLLEGE:
Ontario Agricultural College
AREA OF EXPERTISE:
Agricultural economics, new technology, policy
BIO:
Alfons Weersink is a professor in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource (FARE) in the University of Guelph. He has been at Guelph since the completion of his Ph.D. at Cornell University. His research focuses on the impact of new technology and government policy on the decisions made by farmers and the effect of those choices on markets and the environment.
Julia Christensen Hughes
Module 7: Family Farm Transition Planning II
COLLEGE:
Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics
AREA OF EXPERTISE:
Leadership development and strategic human resource management, effective farm-family communication and conflict resolution
BIO:
Julia Christensen Hughes is the former (founding) Dean of the Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph. An expert in employee engagement and talent management, instructor in the Agriculture Management Excellence program, contributor to Country Guide and a farm family coach, Julia has been helping farmers enhance their leadership and communications skills and embrace a strategic approach to human resource management for over thirty years.
Andria Jones-Bitton
Module 8: Managing Mental Health & Building Resilience
COLLEGE:
Ontario Veterinary College
AREA OF EXPERTISE:
Epidemiology, mental health and well-being of farmers, veterinarians, and veterinary students
BIO:
Andria Jones-Bitton is a veterinarian, epidemiologist, Associate Professor in the Department of Population Medicine,and Director of Well-Being Programming at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. Her research centres on the epidemiology of mental health and resilience in the veterinary and agricultural sectors. Andria has completed a certificate program in Applied Positive Psychology and is a certified resilience trainer. As a result of her many achievements, Andria has been awarded the Brigid Rivoire Award for Champions of Agricultural Mental Health, two Distinguished Professor Awards for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching, and the Ontario Veterinary College Alumni Association Distinguished Young Alumnus Award. Andria loves the veterinary profession and Canadian agriculture, and is proud to work with Canadian farmers, veterinarians, and students.
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1The Foundations in Agricultural Management course has been created by the University of Guelph with financial support from RBC Future Launch and Farm Credit Canada (FCC). This course offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While information presented is believed to be factual and current, it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect those of the individual professors and are subject to change.
2The Foundations in Agricultural Management course is intended for personal knowledge and skills development. The course is a non-credit course and does not count towards any University of Guelph program, degree, diploma or certificate.
The University of Guelph and any of its logos and marks are official marks of University of Guelph. Used under license. RBC, Royal Bank and RBC Future Launch are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license. Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is an official mark of Farm Credit Canada. Used under license.