Expand ag business literacy with Foundations in Agricultural Management course

Joleen Shea wanted to enhance her business knowledge when she returned to work on the family farm, even with an education and solid career in agriculture.

The Kindersley, Sask., area rancher now works full-time with her father, Ron, at Sheady Farms and credits the Foundations in Agricultural Management (FiAM) course with expanding her knowledge and helping her set the farm up for continued success. Even for producers at the beginning of their careers, the program offers solid business training for farm businesses.

FiAM is a free, self-paced online course from the University of Guelph in collaboration with FCC and RBC’s Future Launch program.

Build practical farm business skills

FiAM emphasizes the importance of a business mindset with video modules on agricultural business issues. The 10-part course, taught by U of G professors, helps Canadian producers become successful farm CEOs, covering topics such as:

• Business planning and strategy

• Financial literacy

• Human resources

• Risk management

• Family farm transition planning

• Mental health and building resilience

• Sustainability

Each module takes an average of 15 to 20 minutes to complete and can be done in any order participants choose. There’s a test at the end of each module made up of multiple-choice, true/false and fill-in-the-blank questions. Participants must score 75% or higher to pass each module, but if they don’t, they can easily retake the quiz.

FiAM is designed to support farmers from all sectors of Canadian agriculture. No prerequisites are required, and after completing all the modules, participants receive a course certificate of completion.

Supports sustainability and mental health

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