This scientific paper is based on the results of the research focused on the growing and processing of selected medicinal plants. Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) was included in the research because it is currently one of the most sought-after superfoods in Europe and throughout the world. Based on authentic data and literary sources, the model of economic efficiency was developed for assessment of the establishment and operation of the black chokeberry plantation in the Slovak Republic. The modelled plantation shall be spread over 10 hectares with an intensive method of cultivation (high soil quality, deep plowing, drip irrigation, fertilization with organic and inorganic fertilizer and mechanized fruit harvesting). This intensive cultivation method is characterized by higher yields in t/ha compared to an extensive cultivation method. The model is reviewed over a 12-year period. In this paper are presented three alternatives for processing total production. “Alternative A” represents the sale of the harvest to either the final consumer or the processor for further processing (fresh fruit). “Alternative B” represents the finalization of production in the form of apple–aronia juice (ratio 25% aronia–75% apple). “Alternative C” represents the finalization of production in the form of apple–aronia juice (ratio 50% aronia–50% apple).

Family businesses form an inseparable part of each national economy. Therefore, it is necessary to pay significant attention to the aspects that will affect their growth and sustainability in the future. The main aim of this paper is to verify the implementation of key aspects within the entrepreneurial practice of family businesses that considerably affect their growth. Those aspects were identified while processing theoretical input data. On the basis of such knowledge, the research assumptions were determined, and their validity was subsequently verified through the Mann–Whitney U test, the non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test and the χ² test of independence. Afterwards, we were able to say that key determinants, such as a formal organisational structure, finance, a constituted family council and a proper code of ethics, have a considerable effect on the growth of family businesses in Slovakia. However, proper legislation that would be a fundamental pillar that family businesses may lean on in any of their operations and activities still needs to be enacted and put into practice.

Neuroscience and its implementation in work with human resources is an important part of managerial work. It helps to understand people and the processes of motivation, learning, and adaptation to new situations and reactions to changes in human resource management. Implementing new trends in work with human resources is also very important for ensuring the sustainability of family businesses as an irreplaceable part of national economies. Their implementation is helped by the fact that many of the family food businesses are going through the process of generational change, and family business leadership is being taken over by a generation of young managers - leaders. The contribution aimed to discover how the younger generation of managers perceives neuroscience and where they see the opportunity for its application in human resources management. Our research focused on the younger generation of managers -leaders in Slovakia's small and medium-sized food family businesses. A structured controlled interview was used for qualitative data collection, which was statistically evaluated using the Text mining method. As we discovered, some new neuroscience-based practices are already gradually being applied. By focusing our research also on a different view of the implementation of neuroscience into managerial work by gender, the conclusion is that female, young managers focused on using neuroscience to improve the working environment and in the area of human leadership. Young men as managers, were more focused on the growth of employees who already work in the company to be even more efficient and better manage the learning process. It is a very positive finding that young managers of small and medium-sized food enterprises in Slovakia have already begun actively introducing innovative methods of working with human resources using neuroscience knowledge.