AGRIBUSINESS

Agribusiness allows members to demonstrate their understanding of business principles as they apply to the agriculture industry through an objective test. This event covers topics such as agricultural marketing, economics, finance, and supply chain management, encouraging members to explore careers in agribusiness.

 

Event Overview

Division: High School
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Objective Test, 100-multiple choice questions (breakdown of question by competencies below)
Objective Test Time: 50 minutes
Educational Alignments

Items Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened Pencil, Fully powered device for online testing, Conference provided nametag, Photo Identification, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code

Items FBLA Provides: One piece of scratch paper per competitor, Internet access, Test login information

Objective Test Competencies

·         Safety Procedures and Regulations
·         Nature of Agribusiness
·         Business Law
·         Ethics
·         Agribusiness Economics
·         Operations and Management
·         Finance and Marketing
·         Natural Resources and Systems
Test questions are based on the knowledge areas and objectives outlined for this event. Detailed objectives can be found in the study guide included in these guidelines.

District

Check with your District leadership for District-specific competition information.

State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by District Director) of the current program year.
·         Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top 10 of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top 10 of an event at the NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
·         Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
·         Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block of the official FBLA hotel to be eligible to compete.
·         Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
·         Each member can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report).
·         Identification: Competitors must present valid photo identification (physical) that matches the name on their conference name badge. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, or school ID.
·         If competitors are late for an objective test, they may be either disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled.
·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.

 Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5.

Event Administration

·         This event is an objective test administered at the SLC.
·         No reference or study materials may be brought to the testing site.
·         No calculators may be brought into the testing site; online calculators will be provided if needed.

Scoring

·         Each correct answer is worth one point.
·         No points are deducted for incorrect answers.
·         Ties are broken by comparing the correct number of answers to the last 10 questions on the test. If a tie remains, answers to the last 20 questions on the test will be reviewed to determine the winner. If a tie remains, the competitor who completed the test in a shorter amount of time will place higher.
·         Results announced at the State Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the State Leadership Conference.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to determine eligibility and appropriate support.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

Electronic Devices

·         Unless approved as part of a documented accommodation, all cell phones, watches, electronic devices, and headphones must be turned off and stored away before the competition begins. Visible devices during the event will be considered a violation of the FBLA Honor Code.

National

If you are competing on the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at:  https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/

Study Guide: Knowledge Areas and Objectives
This study guide outlines the skills and knowledge assessed for this event. Objectives followed by a two-letter, three-digit code in parentheses are aligned to the National Business Administration Standards from MBA Research and Curriculum Center. Some objectives reference MBA Research’s Learning Activity Packages (LAPs), which are instructional resources with readings, activities, and assessments available exclusively to teacher advisers. For more information, visit MBAResearch.org/FBLA. 

Important Notice Regarding Test Preparation 

MBA Research materials are not required to study for or prepare for FBLA competitive event tests. MBA Research provides curriculum and instructional resources directly to teachers and does not administer or manage individual student testing or competition participation. 

Note for members and parents: All questions related to tests, study materials, scores, or competition guidelines should be directed to the local FBLA adviser. Only teacher advisers should contact MBA Research directly.

Safety Procedures and Regulations (20 test items)  

  • Follow instructions for use of equipment, tools, and machinery related to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR)  

  • Handle and report emergency situations (OP:010) (CS)  

  • Maintain a safe work environment (OP:008) (CS)  

  • Follow safety precautions (OP:007) (PQ)  

  • Explain procedures for handling accidents (OP:009) (CS)  

  • Describe health and safety regulations in agribusiness   

  • Report noncompliance with agribusiness health and safety regulations   

  • Describe the concept of insurance for agricultural businesses   

  

Nature of Agribusiness (10 test items)  

  • Explain the role of agribusiness in society  

  • Describe types of agribusiness activities   

  • Identify ways that technology impacts agribusiness   

  

Business Law (5 test items)  

  • Describe legal issues affecting businesses (BL:001) (SP)  

  • Discuss the nature of environmental law (BL:073) (SP)  

  

Ethics (5 test items)  

  • Recognize and respond to ethical dilemmas in agribusiness   

  • Take responsibility for decisions and actions (EI:075, LAP-EI-075) (PQ)  

  • Explain the nature of business ethics (EC:106, LAP-EC-106) (SP)  

 

Agribusiness Economics (20 test items)  

  • Explain types of business ownership (BL:003, LAP-BL-003) (CS)  

  • Explain the concept of private enterprise (EC:009, LAP-EC-909) (CS)  

  • Determine the relationship between government and agribusiness  

  • Identify factors affecting profits in agribusiness   

  • Determine factors affecting risk in agribusiness   

  • Explain the principles of supply and demand with regard to AFNR   

  • Describe the functions of prices in markets (EC:006, LAP-EC-906) (CS)  

  • Explain the nature of global trade (EC:016, LAP-EC-916) (SP)  

  • Discuss the impact of globalization on agribusiness   

  

Operations and Management (20 test items)  

  • Explain the concept of agribusiness management   

  • Maintain inventory of supplies (OP:031) (CS)  

  • Explain the concept of supply chain for agribusiness   

  • Explain the concept of production in agribusiness   

  • Explain the nature of overhead/operating costs (OP:024, LAP-OP-024) (SP)  

  • Explain the nature of risk management (SM:075, LAP-SM-075) (SP)  

  • Describe the use of technology in agribusiness operations   

  

Finance and Marketing (15 test items)  

  • Explain the role of finance in agribusiness   

  • Describe the need for financial information (FI:579, LAP-FI-579) (CS)  

  • Explain marketing and its importance in a global economy (MK:001, LAP-MK-901) (CS)  

  • Describe marketing functions and related activities for agribusiness  

  • Explain factors that influence customer/client/business buying behavior (MK:014, LAP-MK-014) (SP)  

  • Develop marketing strategies for agricultural commodities, products, and services  

 

Natural Resources and Systems (5 test items)  

  • Identify natural systems and cycles involved in production, processing, and management of food and natural resources   

  • Discuss how AFNR activities impact the environment and natural resources   

  • Discuss the impact of natural systems and cycles on agribusiness