| Module Identifier | RSM1620 | |||||||||||
| Module Title | ORGANIC BUSINESS MANAGEMENT | |||||||||||
| Academic Year | 2005/2006 | |||||||||||
| Co-ordinator | Dr Susanne Padel | |||||||||||
| Semester | Semester 1 | |||||||||||
| Course delivery | Other | 2-day study tour, 1-day student conference | ||||||||||
| Lecture | ||||||||||||
| Seminars / Tutorials | 10 x 2 hour tutorials | |||||||||||
| Practical | 3 x 2 hour practicals | |||||||||||
| Assessment |
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1. Outline the main objectives and principles of organic agriculture, in a systems context and describe the development of organic food production and marketing in Europe, evaluating how this development impacts on the objectives identified.
2. Identify the regulations leading to production, processing and trade in organic products within the European Union and major trading partners and evaluate the implementation of these regulations in individual countries and their impact on the development and objectives of organic agriculture.
3. Discuss and evaluate the factors influencing consumer demand for organically-produced food.
4. Describe the marketing strucutres (supply chains) for organically produced food in specific regions and evaluate these in the context of supply chain/business performance, trade ethics and resource requirements for production, processing, packaging and distribution.
5. Describe the policy-environment for organic agriculture in Europe, including the relevant production, marketing and agri-environmental support schemes , and assess their influence on the current and potential future adoption of organic agriculture.
6. Identify the factors influencing the financial and physical productivity of organic crop and livestock enterprises and assess their combined impact on the performance of whole farm systems, bothduring conversion and once fully evaluated.
7. Identify and evaluate specific constraints and opportunities for the conversion, development and optimisation of organic farm businesses in the context of farms' objectives, farming styles and information needs as well as the business environment and resources and environment.
There is a recognised need to provide suitable postgraduate modules for students interested in developing further practical expertise and specialist knowledge in organic agriculture.
.2 IT and information handling
Farm planning software and databases
.3 Use and analysis of numerical information
Farm analysis and planning project
.4 Writing in an academic context
The assignments will be laid out in the style of a journal paper with suitable use of reference material cited according to library guidelines.
.5 Oral discussion and presentation
There will be an oral presentation of the essay as part of the 2-day conference. In addition there will be opportunity for group discussion during the tutorials and question/answer sessions following practical exercises and in the study tour.
.6 Careers need awareness
Students will have the opportunity to meet experts in selected topics during the module and will also be provided with current information from current business enterprises and career opportunities associated with organic agriculture during the organic study tour and throughout the course.
.7 Self-management
The assignments will involve the choice of suitable topics following discussions with the course tutor. There will be opportunity to the student to undertake independent research for information and to contact selected experts in the subject area chosen. The written and oral aspects of the assignment encourage the development of time management and communication skills.
.8 Group activity
Group activity will be a central feature of this module, reinforced by a the conference and a significant group project, with opportunities for practical problem solving exercises and group discussions during practical sessions and tutorials.
This module is at CQFW Level 7