The focus of the Agricultural Education Curriculum is a core of basic knowledge relating to agriculture. This knowledge base, coupled with a Supervised Agricultural Experience program and FFA, creates a well-rounded program that serves all students who wish to pursue an advanced interest for career development in agriculture. All of the following courses have an FFA component as well as a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). To be a FFA Member, you must be enrolled in an Agricultural Education Course listed below:
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE I
Semester: Full-year Course
Grades: 10
Prerequisite: None
Credit Value: .5 per semester/Elective
Course Description: This course is designed to introduce students to the world of agriculture. Upon completing this course, students will be able to understand and apply basic concepts in animal science, plant science, ag. mechanics, record keeping, public speaking, and leadership. It will also give students the opportunity to compete in activities through FFA. If you have taken Ag. Science or you are in 12th grade, you cannot take this class.
*High school students showing interest in being enrolled in an Agricultural Education Course have the opportunity to complete an Agriscience 1 Waiver, which requires students to pass an Introduction to Agriculture Competency Test, develop a SAE program, compete in a CDE Team and learn about the FFA organization within the first 9 weeks of the school year.*
AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS
Semester: Full-year Course
Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Ag. Science I
Credit Value: .5 per semester/Fine Arts
Course Description: This course gives students an overview of agricultural communications and the careers available in print, broadcast or electronic journalism and public relations. Students are given an introduction at the ninth grade level to agriculture, natural resources, animal/plant science, and agribusiness principles and careers. Curriculum includes legal and ethical aspects of agricultural communications and journalism, photojournalism and videography, computer applications and web design, and trends and issues in the agricultural industry. Leadership and personal development, portfolio development in an area of interest, and/or supervised experience and FFA are integral components in this major.
ANIMAL SCIENCE
Semester: Full-year Course
Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Ag. Science I
Credit Value: .5 per semester/Elective
Course Description: This course is designed for students interested in learning the fundamentals of science-based animal agriculture. Content includes importance of agricultural animals, taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, reproduction, nutrition, disease management, facilities, evaluation, fitting, marketing, ethics, and safety
AGRICULTURAL POWER AND TECHNOLOGY I
Semester: Full-year Course
Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Ag. Science I
Credit Value: .5 per semester/Elective
Course Description: This course will provide an opportunity for students to develop skills utilized in today’s workforce. Classroom instruction and laboratory experiences will include agriculture machinery and equipment, structures and utilities, cutting and welding and agricultural mechanics.
AGRICULTURAL POWER AND TECHNOLOGY II
Semester: Full-year Course
Grades: 11-12
Prerequisite: Ag. Science I, Ag. Power and Technology I
Credit Value: .5 per semester/Elective
Course Description: This course is a continuation of Agricultural Power and Technology 1. Skills will be developed and used productively through classroom instruction and laboratory experiences.
AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURES
Semester: Full-year Course
Grades: 11-12
Prerequisite: Ag. Science I, Ag. Power and Technology 1 & 2
Credit Value: .5 per semester/Elective
Course Description:
This course is designed to develop skills and competencies in planning, constructing and maintaining agricultural structures. Content included sketching, drawing, plan reading, laying out structures, masonry, and some metal fabrication.
PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCE
Semester: Full-year Course
Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Ag. Science I
Credit Value: .5 per semester/Elective
Course Description: This introductory course for students has an agronomic crop and greenhouse management emphasis. Content includes species and importance of plant crops, plant growth and cultural practices in plant crop production, including disease and pest management, greenhouse management, floral arrangements, and indoor plant care. Content in soil science includes soil composition, fertility, sustainability, and moisture management.
INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL RESOURCES
Semester: Full-year Course
Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Ag. Science I
Credit Value: .5 per semester/Elective
Course Description: This course is for students with an interest in the use and stewardship of natural resources and the environment. Content includes the importance of natural resources, issues associated with preservation and conservation, kinds of resource use, human population demands, recycling, ecology, weather and climate, biosecurity, land description, energy, minerals, rangeland, and waste management.
WILDLIFE SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT
Semester: Full-year Course
Grades: 11-12
Prerequisite: Ag. Science I, Introduction to Natural Resources
Credit Value: .5 per semester/Elective
Course Description: This is a course for students with an interest in wildlife and its conservation and ecology. Content includes importance of wildlife species, history of wildlife conservation, safety, species identification, wildlife biology and ecology, habitat protection, legal regulations, and hunter safety.
INTRODUCTION TO FOOD SCIENCE
Semester: Full-year Course
Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Ag. Science I
Credit Value: .5 per semester/Elective
Course Description: This course is designed for students with an interest in the food industry. Content includes careers in the food industry, food safety principles, food and nutrients, world hunger, microbiology, food processing and preservation, storage, and merchandising.