Agriculture
Agriculture is our world’s most vital industry. The demand for production, processing, and distribution of food and fiber products is a never ending need. Agriculture Education will work with each student to develop an awareness of the importance of agriculture. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of career opportunities and life long skills. The agriculture education program will be continuous and encompass the areas of agriculture exploration, applied agriculture science, agriculture business, and agriculture production. Students will develop competencies needed to successfully gain employment in these areas.
In addition, students may elect to further develop their leadership skills through involvement in FFA. The National FFA provides members the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge through problem solving, communicating, teamwork, and community development.
Mission Statement -- National FFA Organization
The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
FAHS Agriculture Education Staff
Courses
Agricultural Leadership
Grade Level: 9, 10
Credit: 1
Length: Full Year
Prerequisite: None
The course will feature units in Agriculture Careers, Leadership, Animal Science, Wildlife Ecology, Agronomy, Horticulture, Agricultural Safety and Agriculture Business. Special time will be devoted to leadership training in Parliamentary Procedure, communication and community service. “Hands-on” activities will highlight each unit with the use of the Animal Lab, Plant Lab, Greenhouse, Computer Lab, Outdoor Lab, and Field Trips.
Animal Science
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1
Length: Full Year
Prerequisite: None
*Science Equivalency- Counts toward 3rd science credit.
Students will become familiar with the overall care and management of domesticated animals. This course will include units in horses, dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, aquaculture, poultry, dogs, cats, animal welfare, current events, reproduction/genetics, animal health, and feeding/nutrition. Individual and group study will be highlighted by lab activities in the Animal Lab and/or field trips.
Plant Science
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1
Length: Full Year
Prerequisite: None
*Science Equivalency- This course counts towards 3rd Science Credit.*
This course will cover the basic skills needed by a student interested in a career or hobby related to plant science. Course work features units in careers, plant growth and reproduction, soils, greenhouse management, plant diseases & pest management, flowers, fruits, vegetables, and landscape ornamentals. A variety of "hands on" activities including field trips, guest speakers, indoor and outdoor plant care, and greenhouse production.
Agricultural Business
Grade Level: 11/12
Credit: 1/2
Length: Semester
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed for students with an interest in agricultural business and integrating business skills. Units will include: career exploration and planning, identifying agricultural job sources, completing job applications, resume writing, interviewing and public speaking skills, healthful living, citizenship, investments, insurance, taxes, leadership skills, computer skills, entrepreneurial skills, budgeting, product marketing, commodity marketing, record keeping, agricultural economics, and production agriculture.
Agriculture Production
Grade Level: 11/12
Credit: 1/2
Length: Semester
Prerequisite: None
The course is intended to cover the general production and management of livestock, dairy, 15 and crop enterprises. Topics include: importance of production agriculture, record keeping, financial management, production systems, feeding, facilities, animal health, land use management, machinery, economics, and marketing. Students will participate in FFA supervised agricultural experience projects, career development activities, guest speakers, lab activities, management of a livestock enterprise, personal record keeping, and field trips.
Food Science
Grade Level: 11/12
Credit: 1/2
Length: Semester
Prerequisite: None
The course will apply the principles of basic sciences, such as biology, chemistry, engineering, physics and psychology to the problems of food production. Students will examine basic aspects of food manufacturing such as: consumer acceptability, consumer concerns, food composition, quality factors of foods, food preservation, product analysis, processing methods, economics, nutritional quality, labeling, regulations, and safety. Students will participate in FFA supervised agricultural experience project, career development activities, guest speakers, processing activities, preservation labs, product development projects, educational field trips, and research activities.
Horticulture
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Length: Semester
Prerequisite: Plant Science
This course will include the advanced study of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and landscape ornamentals. Topics will include: plant selection and identification, plant diseases, container grown plants, growth stimulants and regulators, plant propagation, integrated pest management, maintaining landscape plants, and careers in horticulture. Students enrolled in this course will manage the greenhouse for the semester.
Landscape Design
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Length: Semester
Prerequisite: Plant Science
The advanced course provides a background in horticulture, nursery and planting standards, and in the creative process of design. Topics will include: plant selection and identification, landscape design principles, landscape design (CAD), hardscaping, irrigation, masonry, fences, equipment usage and maintenance, landscape surveying and calculations, landscape contracts, contractors and documents, and installing and maintaining landscape plants.
Veterinarian Science
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credit: 1/2
Length: Semester
Prerequisite: Animal Science
*Science Equivalency- This course counts towards 3rd Science Credit.*
Veterinarian Science is designed to give animal science students an advanced working knowledge of the large animal, laboratory animal, veterinary assistant, and pet industries. Students will be instructed in the care, maintenance, and training of all common domesticated animals. Students will be prepared for entry level positions in the animal industry, pet industry, animal breeding industry, livestock industry, and veterinary assistant training. Veterinarian Science will also give students a strong life science background with emphasis in anatomy, physiology, diseases, genetics, and nutrition to help prepare students for entry into college and technical school.
Production Agriculture Youth Apprenticeship
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credit: 1/2 - 1
Length: 1 -2 Semesters
Prerequisite: Current or former Agriculture course and instructor permission.
Concurrent semester enrollment in Agriculture Business, Agriculture Production, Food Science, Horticulture, Landscape Design, or Veterinarian Science is required.
Please see an Agriculture Instructor to obtain a Program Application.
This is the on-the-job component for students. Students are placed or find their own job opportunities which enable them to work part-time in an agricultural job setting. Students earn credit based upon the number of hours worked and are paid by the employer. Their school schedules will be reviewed to accommodate 10-20 hours of work per week. Enrollment in this job experience is limited by the number of job sites available. A written agreement outlining work experience objectives is executed by the school, employer, student, parents, and supervising teacher involved.
