Agricultural Education

Classes offered at various grade levels may require a prerequisite. Refer to the course catalog for detailed information.

*Agriculture students are eligible for up to 9 free credits at Delaware Valley College if they complete the agriculture curriculum.  

AG110 INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE (Grades 9-11)   

Weight 1.05 Credit 1/year

This course is an overview of the agriculture industry which will include the study of animals, poultry, plant and soil science, and FFA/Leadership.  Career opportunities in the agricultural industry will also be explored.  Emphasis will be placed on learning to use the project record book to keep records of a livestock, crop, work experience or an agriculture-related project.  Personal leadership development through the FFA is emphasized.                        

AG210 AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (Grades 10-12)

Weight 1.05 Credit 0.5/semester

This course will be offered in alternating years with Agricultural Food Products.

Agricultural Business Management will first be available in the 2022-2023 school year, followed by the 2024-2025 school year.

Areas of instruction will include planning and operation of an agricultural business which includes employer-employee concerns, farm law and government in agriculture, business operation principles, financing, contracts and agreements, record analysis, marketing practices, insurance, taxes, and labor laws.

AG250 AGRICULTURAL FOOD PRODUCTS (Grades 10-12)

Weight 1.05 Credit 0.5/semester

This course will be offered in alternating years with Agricultural Business Management.

Agricultural Food Products will be available in the 2023-2024 school year, followed by the 2025-2026 school year.

Students will take a hands-on look at the foods they eat every day.  The science behind food preparation, food animal/crop management, food safety and handling will be discussed throughout the semester.  

AG291 AGRICULTURAL INDEPENDENT STUDY (Grades 9-12)

Weight 1.05       Credit 1/year

Prerequisite:  Must obtain agricultural teacher approval.

This will be an independent study course which will allow the student to maintain FFA membership without a set agriculture class.  They will be responsible for completing a SAE Record Book corresponding to their projects.  This course may be repeated for credit one time.

AG292 ADVANCED AGRICULTURAL INDEPENDENT STUDY (Grades 11-12)

Weight 1.1 Credit 1/year

Prerequisite recommendation:  Two (2) years of Agricultural Independent Study, and agricultural teacher approval.

This independent study course will continue the formatting of the Agricultural Independent Study.  While expanding students’ knowledge of recordkeeping through their independent projects they will also gain skills through research projects and completion of awards applications.  This course may be repeated for credit one time.

AG290 AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP (Grades 10-12) 

Weight 1.05 Credit 1/year

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of an agricultural course and/or agricultural teacher approval.

This will give agriculture students training on how to develop meaningful projects that they define and implement themselves.  The students will be taught basic leadership skills in communication, facilitation, and teamwork.  Students will get the opportunity to work together to develop their own program of activities, which will serve as a guide for the year.  Advanced influence, motivation, decision-making, conflict/negotiation strategies and meeting management will be taught and examined primarily in the interpersonal context.  This class is meant to help our youth be successful in real leadership positions, including mentors, grant makers, and evaluators within their school and community.  Students will also learn Parliamentary Procedure.  This course may be repeated for credit.

AG280 AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS (Grades 10-12)

Weight 1.05     Credit 0.5/semester

This course will take the student through a variety of agriculture mechanics/shop areas to give them an opportunity to try several different shop options.  The various areas of study will include shop planning and layout, plumbing, electricity and electrical wiring, and concrete masonry.

AG270 AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (Grades 10-12)

Weight 1.05 Credit 0.5/semester

This course explores our natural resources.  Through hands-on activities and use of the nature trail, students will learn about conservation and management of soil, water, air, wildlife, and forests and other natural resources.

AG241 ANIMAL SCIENCE (Grades 10-12)

Weight 1.1 Credit 1/year

This course includes selection, feeding and care of livestock.  Breeding, reproduction, and maintaining of health to produce the food, fiber and recreation for mankind will be included.  This course is a must for any student wishing to enter into an animal science or veterinary degree field.  Students will explore genetics, reproduction, health and safety, veterinary skills and production of animals.  Students will be able to choose an animal of their liking to complete the hands-on labs and activities.    This course meets the criteria to fulfill a science graduation credit requirement.

AG220 WELDING & EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE (Grades 10-12)

Weight 1.05 Credit 0.5/semester

The course provides the opportunity for the development of your skills in actual welding of metals using electric arc, oxyacetylene, MIG and TIG welding equipment.  General equipment maintenance will also be discussed and performed.

AG230 SMALL GASOLINE ENGINES (Grades 10-12)

Weight 1.05 Credit 0.5/semester

Instruction on how the engine on lawn mowers, garden tractors, chain saws and other outdoor power equipment operates.  Students will complete laboratory work to understand and practice how to diagnose, tune, repair, and perform a complete overhaul of a small gasoline engines.  Work in the laboratory will be documented using the state SAE.  

AG231 INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES AND VEHICLE SYSTEMS (Grades 10-12)

Weight 1.05 Credit 0.5/semester

Prerequisite: Small Gasoline Engines

Learn how to repair your tractor, car or truck.  This course will involve principles of engine operation (including diesel), troubleshooting, maintenance and servicing. Students will be exposed to electrical, brakes, fuel, exhaust, steering and other vehicle related systems. Actual work on student vehicles during class is expected.  All coursework will be documented in the state approved SAE books.

AG261 PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCE (Grades 10-12) 

Weight 1.1 Credit 1/year

Through this hands-on course students will explore plant biology and physiology as well as soil structure and function in relation to agriculture.  This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop skills for landscape design and plant selection.  The students will learn about the importance of landscaping, plant identification/selection, installation and maintenance, and landscape diseases and pests that are common in the northeastern United States.    This course meets the criteria to fulfill a science graduation credit requirement.

AG243 VETERINARY SCIENCE (Grades 11-12)

Weight 1.1 Credit 1/year

This course will expand on the knowledge gained in Animal Science. Students will explore careers related to veterinary medicine, as well as learn the steps to successfully gaining a career. Students will learn basic veterinary medical terminology, suturing techniques, taking temperature, pulse and respiration, injection safety, and prescriptions. This class will also investigate animal diseases, parasites and treatments. This course is a must-have for students interested in working in the veterinary field.

AG310 AGRIBUSINESS WORK EXPERIENCE (Grade 12) Fall, one period

AG320 AGRIBUSINESS WORK EXPERIENCE (Grade 12) Spring, one period

AG330 AGRIBUSINESS WORK EXPERIENCE (Grade 12) Fall, two periods

AG340 AGRIBUSINESS WORK EXPERIENCE (Grade 12) Spring, two periods

Weight 1.05 Credit 0.5/semester

Prerequisite recommendation:  Introduction to Agricultural Science or prior approval by an Agriculture teacher.

During periods seven and/or eight of each school day, students will be placed in supervised work experiences on farms, in agribusiness related occupations, or occupations where the skills learned in agricultural education will be useful for gainful employment.  In this program, students gain actual on-the-job experiences, an understanding of employee-employer work relations and demands, and an appreciation for business organization and operation.  Students will be required to maintain records on their supervised agricultural experience projects.