Agricultural Education

The Benton Community Agricultural Education Program is designed to provide students with a well-rounded education in all aspects of agriculture, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary for future careers in and out of agriculture. The program is built around three key components: classroom instruction, Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), and FFA. These elements work together to create a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience.

Classroom instruction serves as the foundation, offering students a broad, comprehensive background in agriculture. Living in Iowa, where agriculture plays a central role in our daily lives, it is important to have knowledge of the agricultural industry to better understand the world around us.

Membership in the Benton Community FFA Chapter and the completion of one or more SAE projects outside of class are integral parts of all agricultural courses. These activities are not extracurricular but are considered co curricular and are extensions of classroom learning that provide real-world experience. To get the most out of the program, students are encouraged to take at least one agriculture class each year throughout high school.

Through this combination of classroom learning, hands-on experience, and leadership development, the Agricultural Education Program prepares students to be successful not only during their time at Benton but also in their future careers and life beyond high school. By equipping students with practical skills, a strong work ethic, and the confidence to lead, the program ensures they are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the agricultural industry and beyond.

Course List

Agriculture Exploration

Credit Hours: .5
Grade Level: 9-12

This course introduces students to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) through hands-on activities and interactive learning. Students will explore multiple agriculture topics including animal science, plant science, and natural resource management, while building skills in communication, leadership, and recordkeeping. They’ll also learn about the agricultural education program, including FFA and SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience). This course is perfect for students who want to understand the role of agriculture in the world.

Companion Animal Science

Credit Hours: .5
Grade Level: 9-12
Corequisite: 8th grade Agriculture or Agriculture Exploration

This course introduces students to the exciting world of companion animals, including dogs,

cats, rabbits, and other small pets. Through a blend of hands-on activities and classroom learning, students will explore a wide range of topics, from identifying common breeds to mastering the essentials of animal care, such as feeding, grooming, and basic health management. Whether you're an animal lover or just curious, this course offers practical skills and valuable insights into the responsibility and joy of caring for small animals.

Animal Science

Credit Hours: .5
Grade Level: 9-12
Corequisite: 8th grade Agriculture or Agriculture Exploration

This course introduces students to animal science, covering the roles of animals in our lives, animal behavior, and production in dairy, beef, pork, sheep, goat, and poultry industries. Practical experiences will focus on applying scientific procedures and practices while exploring new developments in the animal industry. Ideal for students interested in animal agriculture and related careers.

Advanced Animal Science

Credit Hours: .5
Grade Level: 10-12
Prerequisite: Animal Science

This advanced course builds on foundational animal science principles, guiding students through in-depth studies of animal nutrition, breeding, genetics, and health management. Students will explore the science behind animal dietary needs, genetic selection, and reproduction techniques, along with best practices for maintaining animal health and preventing disease. Through hands-on labs and case studies, students will apply scientific principles to real-world challenges in animal production and care.

Plant Science

Credit Hours: .5
Grade Level: 9-12
Corequisite: 8th grade Agriculture or Agriculture Exploration

This introductory course explores the structure and function of plant systems, covering key topics such as plant anatomy, physiology, classification, and the basics of production and harvesting. Through hands-on activities and scientific study, students will develop practical skills to effectively utilize plants in agriculture and horticulture. The course also emphasizes the importance of plant production and its influence on personal, local, and global economies.

Greenhouse Management

Credit Hours: .5
Grade Level: 10-12
Prerequisite: Plant Science

This course focuses on the essentials of greenhouse operations, including plant propagation, pest management, and soil media selection. Students will engage in hands-on activities such as building model greenhouse systems and terrariums, and growing annuals and vegetables. The course also covers budgeting, marketing, and other business aspects of greenhouse management. Ideal for students interested in horticulture, this course provides practical skills and knowledge in growing plants and managing greenhouse environments.

Landscape & Turf Management

Credit Hours: .5
Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: Plant Science

This course introduces students to the essentials of landscape and turf management for home and commercial applications. Covering ornamental, turf, and hardscape design, students gain hands-on experience in designing, maintaining, and constructing landscapes with real-world applications. Ideal for students interested in horticulture and landscaping careers or personal interest.

Natural Resources

Credit Hours: .5
Grade Level: 10-12
Corerequisite: 8th Grade Agriculture or Agriculture Exploration

This course helps students develop essential knowledge and skills in natural resource management, covering topics such as soils, forestry, aquatics, prairies, wildlife habitats, and conservation. Through engaging, hands-on activities like taxidermy, fishing pole construction, and water quality testing, students gain practical experience in environmental protection and sustainable resource management. This course is ideal for students interested in exploring careers or hobbies in wildlife, conservation, and environmental science.

Ag Processing

Credit Hours: .5
Grade Level: 11-12
Corerequisite: 8th Grade Agriculture or Agriculture Exploration

In this hands-on course, students will explore the fascinating world of agricultural processing, focusing on transforming raw products into valuable consumer goods. Topics will include learning about various cuts of meat and the processes involved in meat production. Students will also gain experience in creating products from agricultural by-products, such as making candles, tallow-based lotions, and soaps. The course also covers essential food preservation techniques like canning, freeze-drying, and dehydrating. Perfect for those interested in agriculture, food production, or crafting, this class provides the skills and knowledge to turn farm resources into finished goods.

Agriculture Communication & Leadership

Credit Hours: .5
Grade Level: 11-12
Corerequisite: 8th Grade Agriculture or Agriculture Exploration

This course focuses on building effective communication and leadership skills in the agriculture industry. Students will learn to present on key agricultural issues, develop employability skills, and explore principles of agriculture sales. Through a hands-on passion project, students will experience leadership through service, applying their skills to make an impact. This course is ideal for students looking to lead and communicate effectively in agricultural careers and community roles.

Agriculture Business

Credit Hours: .5
Grade Level: 12
Corerequisite: 8th Grade Agriculture or Agriculture Exploration

This course introduces students to essential business management skills tailored to the agriculture industry. Students will strengthen business and employability skills as they explore the steps of starting and running a business. Key topics include recordkeeping, business structures, financial analysis, risk management, and creating a business plan. Students will apply their learning in hands-on projects, ultimately developing a complete business plan to present and pitch to others. Ideal for those interested in agricultural entrepreneurship and business management.

Agriculture Work Based Learning

Credit Hours: .5
Grade Level: 12
Corerequisite: 8th Grade Agriculture or Agriculture Exploration

This course provides students with the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world agricultural work setting through their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects. Work-Based Learning is a student-guided, independent course designed for students who are employed at an agricultural worksite, allowing them to gain valuable hands-on experience and develop essential job skills.

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