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The Agriculture Department welcomes all students with interest in plants, animals, or natural resources, regardless of experience. There are courses for students with casual or curious interest, to in-depth studies for students pursuing careers or further education in the agriculture world. Classes are experiential whenever possible with the use of indoor and outdoor labs, the animal lab and greenhouse, and area resources. Therefore, attendance is a critical component to your success. Students who enroll in any agriculture course are encouraged to participate in the FFA, a co-curricular student leadership organization that promotes personal growth, leadership, and career success.
JOIN FFA!
JOIN FFA!
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Activities include community service activities, lock-ins, parades, county fair, summer camps, softball, and volleyball. We have career development events such as horse judging, public speaking, floriculture, agricultural mechanics, parliamentary procedure, wildlife, and small animal that advance like sports teams to local, regional, state, and national competitions. Students may attend state and national conventions, regional leadership events, and annual chapter banquets. Students who join FFA must be enrolled in at least one Agricultural Science course during the school year.
The Agricultural Education Mission
Agricultural education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems. Through agricultural education, students are provided opportunities for leadership development, personal growth and career success. Agricultural education instruction is delivered through three major components:
Classroom/Laboratory instruction (contextual learning)
Supervised Agricultural Experience programs (work-based learning)
Student leadership organizations (National FFA Organization, National Young Farmer Educational Association and National Post-secondary Agricultural Student Organization).
Introductory Courses
Introduction to Animal Science
Introduction to Animal Science
Course: 181400
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credits: 1
In this course, students will explore all things related to animals in the agricultural world. A variety of animals, ranging from rabbits to cattle, from farm livestock to Minnesota wildlife, will be discussed. There will be hands-on labs, live animals, in addition, the discussion of products we get from them. As an introductory course, this class is intended to give a broad exposure to the variety within the agriculture world involving animals. This is the recommended starting course for animal related Ag science classes.
Introduction to Plant Science
Introduction to Plant Science
Course: 181401
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credits: 1
In this course, students will explore all things plant related in the agricultural world. The course will include the study of trees, soils, and water using hands-on based activities and lab experiments in the great outdoors. Students will have the opportunity to grow their own plants in the school greenhouse, study landscaping by creating their own gardens and landscape designs, and create their own personal floral designs and corsages. Students will also cover agribusiness and careers in the agriculture industry. This is the recommended starting course for any other plant related Ag science classes.
Equine Science
Equine Science
On-Line Course: 185402
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credits: 1, Science Elective
This course will focus on all aspects of horses. If you own horses or are considering a career in the horse industry, this course is for you. Areas of study will include breeds and types of horses, selection of horses for personal use, practical handling and ground work training, health and diseases, feeding and nutrition. Other topics will include the historical and current uses of horses around the world and the various sectors of the horse industry.
Intermediate Courses
Animal Science I
Animal Science I
Course: 181412
Grade Level:10, 11, 12
Credits: 1, Science Elective
Prerequisite: Intro to Animal Science or Biology
This course is open to students with an interest in studying food production (farm) animals. We will cover the history of animals and their domestication, animal handling, nutrition, breeds, and management techniques for raising poultry, sheep, goats, pigs, beef and dairy cattle. Students with limited livestock experience should take Intro to Animal Science first. Since it is a classroom study of large animals, there is minimal student contact with animals.
Small Animal Science I
Small Animal Science I
Course: 181410
Grade Level:10, 11, 12
Credits: 1, Science Elective
Prerequisite: Intro to Animal Science or Biology
Students will explore and practice skills in the area of small animals and veterinary science. This includes hands-on learning about care, breeds, and diseases of small animals such as dogs, cats, birds, fish, rabbits, and other pets. The course will involve guest speakers that will address current issues and careers in the small animal fields.
Horticulture Science
Horticulture Science
Course: 181414
Grade Level:10, 11, 12
Credits: 1, Science Elective
Prerequisite: Intro to Plant Science or Biology
Students will be exposed to an array of topics in Horticulture. With a review of plant science, we will go deeper into other topics involving benefits and uses of plants of all kinds: native, edible wild and therapeutic houseplants. Students will study identification and propagation of ornamental trees, shrubs, fruits, berries and sustainable practices for landscaping, gardening and food self-reliance. Much of the class is experiential in the school greenhouse as well as campus grounds and neighborhood. Therefore, attendance and willingness to engage in hands-on activities is critical for success.
Advanced Courses
Greenhouse Productions
Greenhouse Productions
Course: 181420
Grade Level:10, 11, 12
Credits: 1, Science Elective
Prerequisite: Intro to Plant Science or Biology
Students will be exposed to an array of topics in Horticulture. With a review of plant science, we will go deeper into other topics involving benefits and uses of plants of all kinds: native, edible wild and therapeutic houseplants. Students will study identification and propagation of ornamental trees, shrubs, fruits, berries and sustainable practices for landscaping, gardening and food self-reliance. Much of the class is experiential in the school greenhouse as well as campus grounds and neighborhood. Therefore, attendance and willingness to engage in hands-on activities is critical for success.
Natural Resource Science
Natural Resource Science
Course Number: 181421
Grade Level: Grades 10, 11, 12
Credits: 1, Science Elective
Prerequisite: Intro to Plant Science or Biology
This course teaches students about native plants and wildlife - with emphasis on those from Minnesota. Students will learn to identify birds, insects, mammals, and fish; investigate many facets of forestry and wildlife habitat. Nature is used as the context to learn science principles and to understand our human connection with it. Students can look forward to outdoor lab activities, on and off-campus excursions and experiences. Because of this, good attendance is critical for success in class.
Animal Science II
Animal Science II
Course Number: 181413
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Credits: 1, Science Elective
Prerequisite: Animal Science I
This course will continue with food production (farm) animals and go deeper into animal nutrition, body systems, reproduction, genetics, health, products from animals, selection, and marketing. Students will have an opportunity to focus on an animal of their choice as a special project. This course will use lab activities that provide more depth in the study of careers in animal science.
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