Agriculture

Agriculture courses are offered at North Stanly & West Stanly

Honors level available for all courses.

Agricultural Mechanics I (NSHS)

Prerequisite: None

This course develops knowledge and technical skills in the broad field of agricultural machinery, equipment, and structures. The primary purpose of this course is to prepare students to handle the day-to-day problems and repair needs they will encounter in their chosen agricultural career. Topics include agricultural mechanics safety, agricultural engineering career opportunities, hand/power tool use and selection, electrical wiring, basic metal working, basic agricultural construction skills related to plumbing, concrete, carpentry, basic welding, and leadership development. English language arts, mathematics, and science are reinforced. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course include 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.

Agricultural Mechanics II (NSHS)

Prerequisite: Agricultural Mechanics I

In this course, the topics of instruction emphasized are non-metallic agricultural fabrication techniques, metal fabrication technology, safe tool and equipment use, human resource development, hot/cold metal working skills and technology, advanced welding and metal cutting skills, working with plastics, and advanced career exploration/decision making. English language arts, mathematics, and science are reinforced. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course are apprenticeship, cooperative education, entrepreneurship,internship, 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.

Agricultural Production I

Prerequisite: None

This course focuses on the basic scientific principles and processes related to the production of plants and animals for the food and fiber systems. Topics of instruction include basic understanding of the livestock/poultry industry and its various components, career opportunities, soil science, crop science/agronomy, weed science, basic agricultural machinery and related industry careers, environmental stewardship, and leadership/personal development. 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.

Agricultural Production II

Prerequisite: Agricultural Production I

This course provides scientific knowledge and technical skills with heavy emphasis on topics including pesticide use and safety, herbicide use and safety, wildlife habitat concerns, irrigation, agricultural equipment technology and safety, global industry issues, career planning, and human resource development. English language arts, mathematics, and science are reinforced.

Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course are apprenticeship, cooperative education, entrepreneurship, internship, 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.

Agriscience Applications

Prerequisite: None

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.

Animal Science I

Prerequisite: None

This course focuses on the basic scientific principles and processes that are involved in animal physiology, breeding, nutrition, and care in preparation for an animal science career major. Topics include animal diseases, introduction to animal science, animal nutrition, animal science issues, career opportunities, and animal evaluation. 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.

Animal Science II

Prerequisite: Animal Science I

This course includes more advanced scientific principles and communication skills and includes animal waste management, animal science economics, decision making, global concerns in the industry, genetics, and breeding. English language arts, mathematics, and science are reinforced in this class. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course are apprenticeship, cooperative education, entrepreneurship, internship, 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.

Animal Science II - Small Animal

Prerequisite: Animal Science I

This course is designed to enhance agricultural awareness with an emphasis on the broad field of small animals. There are many uses for small animals today with companion animals and pocket pets making up a multi‐billion dollar industry. Students will explore the industry and learn care techniques that will assist them regardless of future endeavors. Work‐based learning strategies appropriate for this course are provided through supervised agricultural experiences and field trips. FFA leadership activities, meetings, conferences, and competitions provide opportunities for application of instructional competencies.

Equine Science I (WSHS)

Prerequisite: None

This course focuses on the basic scientific principles and processes related to equine physiology, breeding, nutrition, and care in preparation for a career in the equine 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.

Equine Science II (WSHS)

Prerequisite: Equine Science I

The course focuses on more advanced applications of feeding, breeding, and management practices involved in the horse industry. English language arts, mathematics, and science are reinforced. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course are apprenticeship, cooperative education, entrepreneurship, internship, 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.

Horticulture I

Prerequisite: None

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.

Horticulture II

Prerequisite: Horticulture I

This course covers instruction that expands scientific knowledge and skills to include more advanced scientific computations and communication skills needed in the horticulture industry. Topics include greenhouse plant production and management, bedding plant production, watering systems, light effects, basic landscape design, installation and maintenance, lawn and turf-grass management, and personal development. English language arts, mathematics, and science are reinforced. Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course are apprenticeship, cooperative education, entrepreneurship, internship, 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.

Horticulture II - Landscaping (NSHS)

Prerequisite: Horticulture I

This course provides hands-on instruction and emphasizes safety skills needed by landscape technicians in the field. This course is based on the North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association skill standards for a Certified Landscape Technician. Students are instructed in interpreting landscape designs, identifying landscape plants, and planting/maintaining trees, shrubs, and turf. Landscape construction is emphasized in the areas of grading and drainage, irrigation, paver installation, and the use/maintenance of landscape equipment. Current topics discussions provide students an understanding of careers and the employability skills needed to enter the landscape industry. English language arts, mathematics, and science are reinforced.

Work-based learning strategies appropriate for this course include apprenticeship, cooperative education, entrepreneurship, internship, 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.