THE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION PROGRAM consists of three parts:

1)  Classroom and Laboratory

2)  Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)

3)  Leadership Development (FFA)

The classroom and laboratory phase is to prepare students for an agriculture occupation and/or further study in agriculture at a vocational school, community college, or a four-year university.  This phase is intended to further develop a student’s interest in the various areas of agriculture.

The Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Program is a student’s opportunity to put into practice the knowledge and skills learned during agriculture classes.  Experience consists of practical learning conducted outside the regular classroom time.  SAE is not required of students but is recommended.

The leadership development (FFA) phase is a national organization of, by, and for students of high school agriculture. The FFA is an intra-curricular activity and an integral part of the Agricultural Education curriculum.

INTRODUCTION TO WORLD AGRICULTURE AND THE FFA 9 10 11 12               1 Semester -.5 Unit

Introduction to Agriculture courses survey a wide array of topics within the agricultural industry, exposing students to the many and varied types of agriculture and livestock career opportunities and to those in related fields (such as natural resources).  These courses serve to introduce students to the agricultural field, providing them an opportunity to identify an area for continued study or to determine that their interest lies elsewhere.  They often focus on developing communication skills, business principles, and leadership skills.

COMPANION  ANIMAL MANAGEMENT 9 10 11 12 1 Semester – .5 Unit

Companion Animal Management course focuses on the care and management of small animals.  Animal nutrition, health, behavior, reproduction and breeding, anatomy and physiology, facilities, handling and training, and grooming are typical areas of study.  Course topics may include kennel operations and sales.

FISH, FORESTRY, AND WILDLIFE 9-10-11-12 1 Semester – .5 Unit

Fish, Forestry, and Wildlife course combines the fields of ecology and conservation with planning for the efficient use and preservation of land, water, wildlife, and forests.  Within the general area of natural resources management, this course usually covers specific topics and uses, such as hunting or fishing preserves, forest production and management, wildlife preservation, and human outdoor recreation.

PRE-ANIMAL SCIENCE 9-10-11-12             1 Semester – .5 Unit

Prerequisite:  Introduction to World Agriculture and FFA

Animal Science course imparts information about the care and management of domestic and farm animals.  This course may cover basic animal nutrition, health, behavior, selection, reproduction, anatomy and physiology, facilities, product processing, and marketing.  Students may study a particular species (swine, cattle, horses, fowl, sheep, and so on), or they may learn how to care for and maintain livestock as a more inclusive study.

AG SMALL POWER ENGINES 9-10-11-12                   1 Semester – .5 Unit

Power & Small Engines students will study equipment uses on the farm and learn about the adjustment, overhaul and maintenance of small gas engines.  Students actually disassemble measure and reassemble a small gas engine learning parts and overhauls and operation.

AG ELECTRICITY & POWER 10-11-12                          1 Semester – .5 Unit

OFFERED ON EVEN YEARS (EXAMPLE: 2013-2014, 2015-2016)

Ag Electricity course offers instruction in the theory of electricity and in the terminology, skills, and safety procedures common to careers involving electricity and electronics.  Topics include (but are not limited to Ohm’s law, electrical equipment, wire systems, and so on; career exploration is often (but not always) an integral part of these courses.

AG MECHANICS 10-11-12                      1 Semester – .5 Unit

OFFERED ON EVEN YEARS (EXAMPLE: 2013-2014, 2015-2016)

Ag Mechanics provides the student with the engineering and technology principals, skills and knowledge specifically in the areas of measuring machine capacity, field efficiency, sizes and capacity, power requirements, fixed cost, fuel cost, repair cost, trading equipment, rent/own/lease, and custom work cost/income.  Students will also learn about the new technologies being added to equipment today.

AGRICULTURAL SALES AND SERVICE 10-11-12 1 Semester – .5 Unit

OFFERED ON EVEN YEARS (EXAMPLE 2013-2014, 2015-2016)

Prerequisite:  Introduction to World Agriculture and the FFA

Students will study the following areas:  The Entrepreneur in You, The Good and Bad of Risk, You Supply They Demand, Research Equals Money in Entrepreneurship, Brands and Business Goals, Presentations for Sales and Investment Capital, On Target for Competition, Marketing Your Product, Advertising and Flyers, Where Do I Start?  What Should I Know?, Cash Flow, Balance Sheet, Understanding Legal Requirements, and Advancing Your Enterprise.  Students will actually set up a project and run it and see if a profit can be made.  Students will also have opportunity to be in Ag Marketing, Ag Communications and Ag Entrepreneurship contest and earn scholarship monies.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 10-11-12                                    1 Semester – .5 Unit

Landscape Design provides instruction that incorporates plant science, soil and media mixtures, plant identification and optimal environments, and landscape design.  This course emphasizes applying such knowledge and skill to the design, establishment, and maintenance of lawns, parks, open space, and similar environments.

ANIMAL EVALUATION AND SELECTION 10-11-12 1 Semester – .5 Unit

Prerequisite:   Animal Science

Offered in ODD years (Example:  2012-2013, 2014-2015)

Animal Evaluation and Selection course introduces the student to the most critical part of livestock production – the selection of the correct animals to rise and breed.  Animal Evaluation and Selection includes the identification of the parts of the animal, breeding systems, EBD’s, and heredity factors.  Students will also learn about the meat cuts of the various animals, marketing methods and decisions to make in order to sell breeding, feeder or market animals.  Processing, selection and marketing are the major areas of study in this class.

AG LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT 10-11-12                      1 Semester – .5 Unit

Offered in ODD years (Example: 2012-2013, 2014-2015)

The purpose of this course is to enhance student’s leadership skills through personal development.  We will focus on understanding leadership, communication skills, leading individuals and groups, managerial leadership, personal development, and transitioning to work skills.  All students are encouraged to join FFA membership and be involved in a SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) Project.

AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT 11-12 1 Semester – .5 Unit

Offered in ODD years (Example: 2012-2013, 2014-2015)

Agribusiness Management course provide students with the information and skills necessary for successes in agribusiness and in operating entrepreneurial ventures in the agricultural industry.  This course may cover topics such as economic principles, budgeting, risk management, finance, business law, marketing and promotion strategies, insurance, and resource management.  Other possible topics include developing a business plan, employee/employer relations, problem-solving and decision-making, commodities, and building leadership skills.  This course may also incorporate a survey of the careers within the agricultural industry.

ANIMAL SCIENCE 11-12 1 Semester – .5 Unit

Prerequisite: Pre-Animal Science                                   CCC – 1 Sem. – 3 Credits

Prerequisite:  Compass/ACT Placement Score

Students will use knowledge learned in Pre-Animal Science to go more in depth with such areas as farm animal reproduction, animal nutrition, genetics, surgery, meat science, and farm animal diseases.  Class time will be divided between hands on experience and a classroom understanding.  All students are expected to continue their FFA membership and be involved in a SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience) Project.

PRINCIPLES OF HORTICULTURE 11-12                    1 Semester – .5 Unit

Prerequisite:  Compass/ACT Placement Score        CCC – 1 Sem. – 3 Credits

This course is a study in horticulture.  The goal of this course is to provide the basic knowledge in horticulture science and clearly illustrate how that knowledge is applied in both home and production agriculture.

CROP PROTECTION 11-12                             1 Semester – .5 Unit

Prerequisite:  Compass/ACT Placement Score                                         CCC – 1 Sem. – 2.5 Credits

Deals with the safe handling and use of agricultural chemicals, the control of weeds through chemical methods and the calibration of equipment.  Designed as a field observation of chemical control of weeds, insects, insect life cycles and principles of pesticide use and ecological use in modern production operations.  Students are advised to take the state private pesticide applications exam upon completion of this class.

PRINCIPLES OF CROP PRODUCTION 11-12            1 Semester – .5 Unit

Prerequisite:  Compass/ACT Placement Score         CCC – 1 Sem. – 3 Credits

Principles of Crop Management covers the general scope of agronomy.  Topics include plant anatomy, physiology, climate, soil, weeds and seeds.

AG OCCUPATIONS EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE-OJT 12     1 Year – 1 Unit Each Sem.

AG OCCUPATIONS EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE-CLASS 12     1 Year – 1 Unit Each Sem.

Procedures:  The student must make application for Vocational Employment Readiness and Vocational OJT through the guidance area.

This course is designed to meet the following components:

Employment Readiness:  Employability issues, vocational issues and in-class seminars on vocational issues.

On-The-Job Training:  Participation in an approved paid, work-based learning experience  coupled with journalizing, monitoring visits, and seminars.

Service-Learning:  Participation in the 5th and 8th grade Career Awareness Fair.

After successful completion of the course, the student receives .5 Unit for the classroom portion of the program and .5 Unit for work experience each semester–total of two (2) high school elective Units for the year.