Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Ag Programs of Study.pdfAg. Science Electives/FFAAg. Science _ FFA (7).pdfClick on the course names to view videos or slides.
1st level class - required to move on to other levels
Principles of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR): (1 credit) Certification: Quality Counts This course is an introductory class that prepares students for careers in agriculture, food, and natural resources. The emphasis is on career opportunities, personal development, globalization, industry standards, details, practices, and expectations. • Grades 9 - 10 • Required of all 9th/10th graders wanting to take an Ag course • Programs of Study: Animal Science, Plant Science and Applied Ag Engineering, Environmental & Natural Resources • Lab supplies or fee may be required.
2nd level classes
Livestock Production: (1 credit) Certification: Texas Beef Quality Assurance This course is an in-depth study to develop knowledge and skills pertaining to all areas and kinds of livestock production. Topics which give the student an insight into livestock management include animal foods, nutrition and growth, reproduction, animal health, animal handling techniques, and livestock sales. • Grades 10 - 12 • Required prerequisite (or concurrent): Principles of AFNR for 10th graders • Program of Study: Animal Science • Lab supplies or fee may be required.
Small Animal Management: (1/2 credit) Certification: Fear Free Animal Handling This course is designed for students to acquire knowledge and skills related to small animals and the small animal management industry. Small Animal Management may address topics related to small mammals such as dogs and cats, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. • Grades 10 - 12 • Required prerequisite (or concurrent): Principles of AFNR for 10th graders • Program of Study: Animal Science • Lab supplies or fee may be required.
Equine Science: (1/2 credit) In this concentrated study of horses, topics covered will include breeds, selection, uses, and other horse-related aspects of the agribusiness industry. Nutrition, reproduction, health and management of horses, and related enterprises will be emphasized. • Grades 10 - 12 • Required prerequisite (or concurrent): Principles of AFNR for 10th graders • Program of Study: Animal Science • Lab supplies or fee may be required.
Floral Design: (1 credit - fine arts) Certifications: TSFA Floral Designer Skills, TSFA Floral Designer-Level One This course is designed to develop a student’s ability to identify and demonstrate the principles and techniques related to floral design as well as develop an understanding of the management of floral enterprises. Horticulture systems, career opportunities, entry requirements, and industry expectations will also be covered. • Grades 10 - 12 • Required prerequisite (or concurrent): Principles of AFNR for 10th graders • Program of Study: Plant Science • Completing this course satisfies a fine arts credit required for graduation. • Floral Skills and Floral Designer-Level One certifications each satisfy requirement to earn a Performance Acknowledgment. • Lab supplies or fee may be required.
Wildlife, Fisheries and Ecology Management: (1 credit) Certification: Hunter, Boater & Angler Safety This course is designed to inform the students about wildlife management and outdoor recreation. Hunting and fishing skills and safety are taught as well as water and boating safety. Wise use of our natural resources and career opportunities are also covered. • Grades 10 - 12 • Required prerequisite (or concurrent): Principles of AFNR for 10th graders • Program of Study: Environmental & Natural Resources • Lab supplies or fee may be required.
Agricultural Mechanics and Metal Technologies: (1 credit) Certifications: OSHA-10, American Welding Society (AWS) This course is designed to develop an understanding of agricultural mechanics as it relates to safety and skills in tool operation, electrical wiring, plumbing, carpentry, fencing, concrete, and metal working techniques. Construction of a project or demonstration of skills will fulfill the requirements of the Supervised Agricultural Experience Program. • Grades 10 - 12 • Required prerequisite (or concurrent): Principles of AFNR for 10th graders • Program of Study: Applied Ag Engineering • AWS certification satisfies requirement to earn a Performance Acknowledgment. Certifications available: Flat, Horizontal, Vertical, and Overhead. • Lab supplies or fee may be required.
3rd or 4th level classes
Veterinary Medical Applications: (1 credit) Certification: Certified Vet Assistant-Level One (CVA) This course is designed for students preparing for careers in the field of animal science. Topics covered include, but are not limited to career opportunities, entry requirements, industry expectations, animal systems, and veterinary practices as they relate to both large and small animal species. • Grades 11 - 12 • Required prerequisites: Principles of AFNR and either Small Animal Management, Equine Science, or Livestock Production • Program of Study: Animal Science • Satisfies advanced course requirement for Business & Industry endorsement. • CVA certification satisfies requirement to earn a Performance Acknowledgment. • Lab supplies or fee may be required.
Advanced Animal Science K: (1 credit - science) This course is designed for students preparing for careers in the field of animal science. Emphasis will be placed on the interrelatedness of human, scientific, and technological dimensions of livestock production. Instruction is designed to allow for the application of scientific and technological aspects of animal science through field and laboratory experiences. • Grades 11 - 12 • Required prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry and Veterinary Medical Applications OR at least 1 credit of animal science (Small Animal Management and Equine Science or Livestock Production) • Program of Study: Animal Science • Satisfies advanced course requirement for Business & Industry endorsement. • Completing this course satisfies a science credit required for graduation. • Lab supplies or fee may be required
Advanced Floral Design: (1 credit) Certification: TSFA Floral Designer-Level Two Advanced Floral Design students build on the knowledge from the Floral Design course and are introduced to more advanced floral design concepts, with an emphasis on specialty designs and specific occasion planning. • Grades 11 - 12 • Required prerequisite: Floral Design • Recommended prerequisite: Floral Designer Level One cert • Program of Study: Plant Science • Satisfies advanced course requirement for Business & Industry endorsement. • Floral Designer-Level Two certification satisfies requirement to earn a performance Acknowledgmen • Lab supplies or fee may be required.
Agricultural Equipment & Design: (1 credit) In this concentrated study of horses, topics covered will include breeds, selection, uses, and other horse-related aspects of the agribusiness industry. Nutrition, reproduction, health and management of horses, and related enterprises will be emphasized. Lab supplies or fee may be required.
Range Ecology Management: (1 credit) In this concentrated study of horses, topics covered will include breeds, selection, uses, and other horse-related aspects of the agribusiness industry. Nutrition, reproduction, health and management of horses, and related enterprises will be emphasized. Lab supplies or fee may be required.
Project-based Research - Focused on Advanced Ag Mechanics: (1 credit - project-based) Certification: OSHA-30 This course is a supervised research study/project-based class where students will apply knowledge and skills from previous ag mechanics courses in a related advanced/specialized field of study. Students are required to submit a formal project plan within 15 school days after enrollment in the course. The plan should specify the additional concepts and/or technologies that will be studied and utilized, along with an overview of the culminating project. • Grades 11 - 12 • Required prerequisites: Ag Mechanics • Recommended for students unable to complete all welding certifications available in Ag Mech and Ag Equipment and/ or students wanting to complete an advanced ag mechanics project. • Program of Study: Applied Ag Engineering • Satisfies advanced course requirement for Business & Industry endorsement. • Lab supplies or fee may be required. • Students wanting to study advanced topics in floral design should take Advanced Floral Design.
Practicum in Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources: (2 credits, work-based) This course can have a concentration in Animal Science, Foral Design, Applied Ag Engineering, or Environment & Natural Resources. Certifications: Certified Vet Assistant II, TSFA Floral Design Level 2, OSHA-30, AWS D1.1, or Wastewater Collections •This course allows students to apply agricultural concepts and principles in the classroom and the workplace. In the classroom portion of the course, students will gain knowledge of professional standards as required by business and industry. Students will also receive industry recognized training designed to make them more marketable and desirable in the workplace. Students are required to work 10 hours per week at an approved training site and must be employed at that site within 15 school days after enrollment in the course. Students wishing to earn the Wastewater Collections certification must attain a job/internship at a facility in that industry. • Grades 11 - 12 • Required prerequisites: at least two (2) credits from ag cluster and age 16 if paid training site • Programs of Study: Animal Science, Plant Science and Applied Ag Engineering, Environmental & Natural Resources • Recommended for students needing to complete the hour requirement required to earn their CVA level one certification (started in Vet Med) or move on to level two. • Satisfies advanced course requirement for Business & Industry endorsement. • Lab supplies or fee may be required. • Students must provide own transportation to the work site