Agricultural Education

This course emphasizes agricultural occupations, business procedures, merchandising, marketing, agricultural business management, and emerging or niche markets. Students will learn agricultural product knowledge, agricultural service industry knowledge, and leadership development. See Guidelines for Placement of Students in Honors/AP/Dual Enrolled Classes.

This advanced course will allow students the opportunity to develop and apply agricultural mechanical skills in the area of carpentry, metal fabrication, electricity, plumbing, concrete and masonry, leveling and land management, and project design and planning. Students will be engaged in practical learning experiences. Employability traits and leadership skills will be emphasized.

This course assists seventh grade students in exploring agriculture and the environment. Topics of discussion include animal science, conservation and natural resource management, leadership, and personal development through the FFA, and mechanical skills development.

Through classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory activities, students will explore the fields of agriculture, food, and natural resources (AFNR), to include: global agriculture; new and emerging technologies; agricultural mechanics; and careers in agribusiness; animal systems; environmental services; food products and processing; natural resources systems; plant systems; and power, structural, and technical systems. Eighth grade students further their leadership and personal development through the FFA. Students will learn to care for and manage companion animals important to agriculture.

Students gain positive experiences through fundamental agricultural competencies needed for rural or urban living. Areas of instruction include food production, handling, and preparation; introduction to the livestock and poultry industry; soil, soil fertility, and cultural practices; mechanical applications; plant systems and disease/pest management for shrubs, lawns, pastures, gardens, and fruit trees. The course emphasizes leadership development and participation in FFA activities. Supervised Agricultural Experiences will allow for enhanced learning and growth opportunities for students. Electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and metalworking lab competencies are incorporated throughout the course.

Students learn how to identify and manage various animal species including: fish, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. The course focuses on understanding the positive and negative impact humans have on the environment. The course provides instruction on managing water quality and operating an aquaculture facility. Students will explore related career pathways.

Course content covers career opportunities, floral design foundations, design applications, and the marketing of floral products. Specific design styles to be examined include mass, mass-line, line, vase, wedding, balloon, holiday, and personal-adornment arrangements. Students develop skills in conditioning fresh cut flowers and identifying commonly used flowers, tools, and floriculture equipment. The course also emphasizes leadership activities and opportunities to participate in FFA events.

Students are taught the operating procedures for a greenhouse. Units of instruction include developing plant production facilities, science application in plant production, and identification of plants. Business management, leadership development, and marketing skills are emphasized to prepare students for careers in the greenhouse plant production and management industry. Greenhouse Plant Production and Landscaping may be offered in alternate years.

This course introduces agriscience and develops an awareness of animal and plant science, natural resources, mechanical skills, and the food industry. Sixth grade students will participate in activities that will increase their awareness of the world of agriculture.

This course introduces agriscience and develops an awareness of animal and plant science, natural resources, mechanical skills, and the food industry. Sixth grade students will participate in activities that will increase their awareness of the world of agriculture. This course is a semester option for Intro to Agriscience.

Students are introduced to the variety of topics involved with the conservation of our natural resources. Studies include air, soil, water, forest and energy conservation; wildlife identification; and management practices. Introduction to Natural Resources and Forestry, Wildlife Management may be offered in alternate years.

Students are involved in all aspects of landscaping including design, installation and maintenance. The class includes hands-on activities in all three phases of landscaping which will be valuable for students seeking employment in the landscaping industry. Students learn basic horticulture business management and entrepreneurship skills. Greenhouse Plant Production and Landscaping are offered in alternate years.

Students learn how to care for and manage large animals and their facilities. The course focuses on animal health, nutrition, reproduction and evaluation. Course content also includes instruction in the tools, equipment, and facilities for animal care. This course is designed for students who have an interest in large animal production and veterinary science. See Guidelines for Placement of Students in Honors/AP/Dual Enrolled Classes.

Students learn about a variety of metal fabrication and welding practices in the metal construction industry. Students practice welding procedures in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Metal Inert Gas (MIG), Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) and OxyAcetylene (OAW). Precision layout and cutting operations also will be performed with power equipment, oxyacetylene cutting and plasma arc. Students will be introduced to precision agricultural management, including (but not limited to) GPS, remote sensing and laser technology. The application of metal fabrication techniques workplace readiness skills and leadership will be emphasized. See Guidelines for Placement of Students in Honors/AP/Dual Enrolled Classes.

Students learn how to care for and manage small animals. The course focuses on animal health, nutrition, reproduction, evaluation and training. Course content also includes instruction in the tools, equipment and facilities for small animal care and provides activities to foster leadership development. This course is designed for students who have an interest in small animal science and veterinary science. Live animal handling may occur. FFA, SAE, or related student organizational activities are encouraged.

Veterinary Science enables students to acquire the employability and technical knowledge and skills needed to succeed in postsecondary education as well as in a career in veterinary medicine or a related occupation. Course content integrates application of academics, development of career competencies, and instruction in course-specific knowledge and skills, such as the use of tools, equipment, safety, and facilities related to veterinary medicine. Business management, leadership, and FFA activities are included in the course. Students enrolled in the course should have a strong background in math and science and should be familiar with small animal care.