Agriculture Courses

The Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is designed to provide students with opportunities to gain experience in the agricultural field(s) in which they are interested. Students will apply knowledge learned in the classroom, laboratory, and other training sites to real-life situations with a standards-based learning plan. Students work closely with their agriculture teacher(s), parents, and/or employers to get the most out of their SAE program. This course can be offered each year as well as during the summer session. Curriculum content and competencies need to be varied so that school year and summer session experiences are not duplicative.

Principles of Agriculture DC

Prerequisites: none | Grade: 9, 10, 11

Principles of Agriculture exposes students to the diversity of career options found within the agricultural industry and to other agribusiness concepts. Students will develop an understanding of the role of agriculture in the United States and globally. Students will explore Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource (AFNR) systems related to the production of food, fiber and fuel and the associated health, safety and environmental management systems. Topics covered in the course range from animals, plants, food, natural resources, ag power, structures and technology, and agribusiness. Participation in FFA and Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) will be an integral part of this course in order to develop leadership and career ready skills.

Animal Science DC SC

Prerequisites: Principles of Agriculture | Grade: 9, 10

Animal Science provides students with an overview of the animal agriculture industry. Students participate in a variety of activities and laboratory work including real and simulated animal science experiences and projects. All areas that the students study may be applied to both large and small animals. Topics to be covered in the course include: history and trends in animal agriculture, laws and practices relating to animal agriculture, comparative anatomy and physiology of animals, biosecurity threats and interventions relating to animal and human safety, nutrition, reproduction, careers, leadership, and supervised agricultural experiences relating to animal agriculture.

Plant and Soil Science DC SC

Prerequisites: Principles of Agriculture | Grade: 9, 10

Plant and Soil Science a two semester course that provides students with opportunities to participate in a variety of activities including laboratory and field work. Coursework includes hands-on learning activities that encourage students to investigate areas of plant and soil science. Students are introduced to the following areas of plant and soil science: plant growth, reproduction and propagation, photosynthesis and respiration, diseases and pests of plants and their management, biotechnology, the basic components and types of soil, soil tillage, and conservation.

Natural Resources DC SC

Prerequisites: none | Grade: 9, 10, 11

Natural Resources provides students with a background in environmental science and conservation. Course work includes hands-on learning activities that encourage students to investigate areas of environmental concern. Students are introduced to the following areas of natural resources: soils, the water cycle, air quality, outdoor recreation, forestry, minerals, interrelationships between humans and natural systems, wetlands, wildlife, safety, careers, leadership, and supervised agricultural experience programs.

Food Science DC SC*

Prerequisites: Principles of Agriculture | Grade: 10, 11, 12

*Fulfills a Science course requirement for General Diploma only

Food Science provides students with an overview of food science and the role it plays in the securing of a safe, nutritious, and adequate food supply. A project-based approach is utilized in this course, along with laboratory, team building, and problem solving activities to enhance student learning. Students are introduced to the following areas of food science: food processing, food chemistry and physics, nutrition, food microbiology, preservation, packaging and labeling, food commodities, food regulations, issues, and careers in the food science industry.

Advanced Life Science: Animals DC SC QR

Prerequisites: Principles of Agriculture, Animal Science | Grade: 10, 11, 12

Advanced Life Science: Animals provides students with opportunities to participate in a variety of activities including laboratory work. Students will explore concepts related to history and trends in animal agriculture as related to animal welfare, husbandry, diseases and parasites, laws and practices relating to handling, housing, environmental impact, global sustainable practices of animal agriculture, genetics, breeding practices, biotechnology uses, and comparative knowledge of anatomy and physiology of animals used in animal agriculture.

Advanced Life Science: Plants and Soils DC SC QR

Prerequisites: Principles of Agriculture, Plant and Soil Science | Grade: 10, 11, 12

Advanced Life Science: Plants and Soils provides students with opportunities to participate in a variety of activities including laboratory work. Students study concepts, principles, and theories associated with plants and soils. Knowledge gained enables them to better understand the workings of agricultural and horticultural practices. They recognize how plants are classified, grow, function, and reproduce. Students explore plant genetics and the use of plants by humans. They examine plant evolution and the role of plants in ecology. Students investigate, through laboratories and fieldwork, how plants function and how soil influences plant life.

Agriculture Power, Structure and Technology DC

Prerequisites: Principles of Agriculture | Grade: 10, 11, 12

Agriculture Power, Structure and Technology is a lab-intensive course in which students develop an understanding of the basic principles of tool selection, operation, maintenance, and management of agricultural equipment in concert with the utilization of technology. Topics covered include: safety, problem-solving/troubleshooting, electricity, plumbing, concrete, carpentry, metal technology, engines, emerging technologies, leadership development, supervised agricultural experience, and career opportunities in the area of agriculture power, structure, and technology

Horticultural Science DC SC*

Prerequisites: Principles of Agriculture | Grade: 10, 11, 12

*Fulfills a Life Science or Physical Science requirement for the General Diploma only

Horticulture Science provides students with a background in the field of horticulture. Coursework includes hands-on activities that encourage students to investigate areas of horticulture as it relates to the biology and technology involved in the production, processing, and marketing of horticultural plants and products. Students are introduced to the following areas of horticulture science: reproduction and propagation of plants, plant growth, growth-media, management practices for field and greenhouse production, marketing concepts, production of plants of local interest, greenhouse management, floral design, and pest management. Students participate in a variety of activities including extensive laboratory work usually in a school greenhouse.

Greenhouse & Soilless Production DC

Prerequisites: Principles of Agriculture | Grade: 10, 11, 12

Greenhouse and Soilless Production provides an overview of structural designs and uses of enclosed structures (greenhouses) to grow various plants and food. The course will focus on discussing different types of enclosed structures, management systems, and growing systems used to produce plants and food. The course will also present an overview of soilless growing systems such as hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics and fogponics. Students will utilize the school greenhouse as part of this course.

Landscape & Turf Management DC

Prerequisites: Principles of Agriculture | Grade: 10, 11, 12

Landscape and Turf Management provides students with an overview of the many career opportunities in the diverse field of landscape and turf management. Students are introduced to the procedures used in the planning and design of a landscape using current technology practices, the principles and procedures involved with landscape construction, the determination of maintenance schedules, communications, and management skills necessary in landscaping operations, and the care and use of equipment utilized by landscapers. Upon completion of the program, students have the opportunity to become Indiana Landscape Industry Certified through a state approved program.

Forestry & Wildlife Management DC SC

Prerequisites: Principles of Agriculture | Grade: 10, 11, 12

Forestry and Wildlife Management provides students with opportunities to participate in a variety of activities including laboratory work. Students will explore concepts related to environmental and ecological impacts, forestry management, timber harvesting, tree production, and wood utilization, as well as environmental issues and career exploration.

Agribusiness Capstone QR

Prerequisite: Agriculture Concentrator Sequence | Grade: 11, 12

The Agribusiness Management Capstone introduces students to the Principles of agribusiness management and leadership from a local and global perspective, with the utilization of technology. The course will help students build a strong knowledge base of the agribusiness industry as they study agribusiness types, communications, agricultural law, leadership, and teamwork, ethics, and agricultural economics. Additionally, students will understand the role of selling in the agricultural economy, stressing the points and terminology necessary in today’s agriculture. Students will demonstrate principles and techniques for planning, development, application and management of agribusiness systems through project-based learning and supervised agriculture experience (work-based learning) programs. This course can be used as a capstone experience for any agriculture pathway.