Agriculture accounts for nearly 51 Million dollars to Wisconsin’s economy, there is a place for you in this fast-paced industry! Curriculum focuses on the various aspects of agriculture in the animal, plant and natural resource areas. As part of the agriculture program, students will be involved in group classroom activities, lab/greenhouse training, and hands on projects. Each course will include intra-curricular study and activities related to the National FFA.
FFA
The National FFA Organization is the largest student organization in the world…with over 500,000 members from cities, farms, and rural areas. You do not need to live on a farm to be part of the National FFA Organization. The Merrill FFA Chapter participates in community service, speaking and judging competitions, leadership development opportunities and we work to promote the importance of agriculture in our community, state and nation. Membership is not mandatory but is HIGHLY encouraged. Meetings are the second Thursday of the month. New members are always welcome!
SAE
All students in agriculture education will be encouraged to participate in an SAE, or Supervised Agriculture Experience. An SAE is a hands-on program that applies knowledge learned in the classroom to a real world, work experience. The National FFA Foundation and Wisconsin FFA Foundation offer grants for students to begin and improve their SAE programs.
INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE
Grade Level: 9-12
Semester: 0.5 credit
Prerequisites: None
Description: “Learning by doing” activities provide exposure to various areas of Agriculture. If you are interested in gaining an overview of Wisconsin and United States agriculture then this class is for you. We will cover topics including large animals, small animals, plants, wildlife, FFA, leadership and much, much more! This hands on, project based class offers a general overview of what agriculture has to offer. It is strongly recommended students enroll in Introduction to Agriculture before taking other offered agriculture classes.
LARGE ANIMAL SCIENCE
Grade level: 9-12
Semester: 0.5 credit
Prerequisite: None
Description: Ever wonder how that steak, pork chop, or piece of cheese ended up on your plate? This course explores livestock production including dairy and beef cattle, sheep and swine. Dairy goat and poultry production will also be addressed. Students will learn to identify the major breeds and to evaluate conformation of each species. General principles of animal nutrition, housing, health management, reproduction, and marketing will be covered. Hands-on activities include ration formulation, development of meat animal production plans and design of animal housing. Farm field trips will demonstrate the animal management principles covered. Class presentations by producers, veterinarians, and ration advisors will increase student awareness of career opportunities in food animal production.
SMALL ANIMAL CARE
Grade level: 9-12
Semester: 0.5 credit
Prerequisite: None
Description: This class is for the pet owner in everyone. The course provides students with practical knowledge of pet care and explores career opportunities in the pet industry. Care, management and, where appropriate, training of traditional pets such as cats, dogs, birds, fish, guinea pigs and hamsters and working animals like dogs and exotic animals such as reptiles and amphibians will be addressed. Topics include nutrition, health management, reproductive management, diseases, and safety. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of pet and companion animals in the classroom or on tours and will hear presentations and observe demonstrations by veterinarians, and other care workers such as kennel owners, trainers and groomers.
FORESTRY
Grade level: 11-12
Semester: 0.5 credit
Prerequisite: None
This course is also eligible for a Science credit.
Description: Subject material covered will include career opportunities, forest equipment safety, forestry skills and techniques, felling and limbing trees, harvesting wood products, and managing forest land. Tree identification and tree anatomy will be covered throughout the course. Top students will be eligible to compete in state forestry contests.
DAIRY SCIENCE
(WILL BE OFFERED ODD YEARS, ALTERNATING W/ AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT)
Grade level: 10-12 (10th graders must receive an A in the class & final exam for NTC credit)
Semester: 0.5 credit
Prerequisite: Large or Small Animals
Description: Dairy Science is a one-semester course, which deals with dairy breed identification, animal nutrition, behavior, health, and the marketing of dairy products. Opportunities include attending the World Dairy Expo and participating in dairy judging and dairy foods contests. Students do not need to come from a dairy farm background to take this course.
Dual Credit
Introduction to Animal Science
10-091-104
3.0 NTC Credits
PLANTS EXPLORATION
Grade level: 9-12
Semester: 0.5 credit
Prerequisite: None
Description: Ag Exploration - Plants is an introduction to Agricultural Education. Areas of instruction will include plant anatomy & physiology, floral design, landscape design, fruit & vegetable production, and soil science. We will also explore agriculture careers. Hands-on labs are part of the class. The greenhouse is used as part of this class for water usage, erosion, hydroponics, and plant growth experiments. Be ready to get your hands dirty with Ag Exploration – Plants!
Dual Credit
Container Gardening
310-011-01
1.0 NTC Credits
WILDLIFE & OUTDOOR RECREATION
Grade level: 10-12
Semester: 0.5 credit
Prerequisite: None
Description: This course will focus on current natural resource issues that include fish and wildlife. The study of wildlife ecosystems, pollution, groundwater, and population control will be discussed. We will explore careers in the natural resources and current rules and regulations governing fish and wildlife will be presented. Student presentations and outdoor experiences will be a part of this class. Semester project will be the taxidermy of a fish. What other class asks you to go fishing for an assignment?
GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT / PLANT SCIENCE
Grade level: 10-12
Semester: 0.5 credit
Prerequisite: Exploring Plants
This course is also eligible for a Science credit.
Description: Horticulture is one of the fastest growing industries in Wisconsin. This class covers the study of ornamental plants, fruits, and vegetables. Subject material includes factors that affect plant growth, landscaping, floriculture, orchard management, pruning, and gardening. A greenhouse is provided as part of class instruction. Extensive time will be spent in the greenhouse growing and experimenting on annual plants. This is a very hands on class, so be prepared to get a little messy!
AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT
(WILL BE OFFERED ODD YEARS, ALTERNATING W/WILDLIFE & OUTDOOR RECREATION)
Grade level: 10-12
Semester: 0.5 credit
Prerequisite: Plants, Animals and You, Large Animal Science, Small Animal Care, OR Exploring Plants
Description: Have you ever wondered what it takes to start a business or how you can take your idea and make it a reality? Agribusiness Management focuses on all aspects of creating and running a business. The class includes the design and management of a student run enterprise. Students will apply for positions within the business, design a product, create a marketing plan, and make/sell a product directly related to an agricultural commodity. This class is for students looking to learn more about sales, communications, journalism, marketing or any agricultural career.
VETERINARY SCIENCE
Grade level: 10-12
Semester: 0.5 credit
Prerequisite: Large Animal Science, Small Animal Care, or Biology (with a “C” or higher)
This course is also eligible for a Science credit.
Description: Do you like animals and caring for animals? Are you planning to get into the medical field? Then Veterinary Science is the course for you! In this class students will take a hands-on approach to learning how to manage, handle and feed animals. The course includes the study of diseases, animal nutrition, health, medical terminology, anatomy, and genetics. Hands-on labs will be a major part of this course. We will also learn about the opportunities available in the career fields of animal care and veterinary science.
Dual Credit
Veterinary Medical Terminology
100-911-72
1.0 NTC Credits
SENIOR AGRICULTURE
Grade level: 12
Semester: 1.0 credit
Description: This class is an opportunity for senior students to take one more agricultural class before they graduate. Seniors interested in this class must have already completed at least 3 agriculture classes in their high school career. We will focus on Agronomy, using NTC's Dual Credit Class "Orientation to Agronomy"; growing our leadership skills; exploring what life after highs chool might look like (either college or career); and researching some advanced animal science practices including EPDs, feed rations, selecting breeding stock, and more.
Dual Credit
Orientation to Agronomy
100-931-01
1.0 NTC Credits