Agriculture Education
The agricultural education program is built on the three core areas of classroom/laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experience programs and FFA student organization activities/opportunities. The program is designed for delivery through these three components as follows:
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Classroom/Laboratory Instruction – quality instruction in and about agriculture that utilizes a "learning by doing" philosophy.
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Supervised Agricultural Experience Programs – all students are expected to have an agriculturally related work-based learning experience while enrolled in agricultural education courses.
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FFA Student Organization activities/opportunities – FFA activities are an integral part of the agricultural education program that all agricultural education students should participate in if they are to fully benefit from their enrollment in the program.
Horticulture I
This course provides instruction on the broad field of horticulture with emphasis on the scientific and technical knowledge for a career in horticulture. Topics in this course include plant growth and development, plant nutrition, media selection, basic plant identification, pest management, chemical disposal, customer relations, and career opportunities. English language arts, mathematics, and science are reinforced. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course are apprenticeship, cooperative education, internship, mentorship, school-based enterprise, job shadowing, and supervised agricultural experience. FFA competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences.
Agriscience Applications
This course focuses on integrating biological/physical sciences with technology as related to the environment, natural resources, food production, science, and agribusiness. Topics of instruction include agricultural awareness and literacy, employability skills and introduction to all aspects of the total agricultural industry. English language arts, mathematics, and science are reinforced. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course are apprenticeship, cooperative education, mentorship, school-based enterprise, service learning, job shadowing, and supervised agricultural experience. FFA competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences.
Advanced Studies in Agriculture
This culminating course is for juniors and seniors who have earned two technical credits, one of which is a completer course, in one Career Cluster. The Advanced Studies course must augment the content of the completer course and prepare students for success in transitioning to postsecondary education and future careers. Students work under the guidance of a teacher with expertise in the content of the completer course in collaboration with community members, business representatives, and other school-based personnel. The four parts of the course include writing a research paper, producing a product, developing a portfolio, and delivering a presentation. Students demonstrate their abilities to use 21st century skills. DECA (an association for Marketing Education students), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), FFA, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), SkillsUSA, and Technology Student Association (TSA) competitive events, community service, and leadership activities provide the opportunity to apply essential standards and workplace readiness skills through authentic experiences.
