Preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers through hands-on learning, leadership, science, business, and community connection.
SSCA Agriculture Business & Technology Career Tech Program
Serving students from Sandy Valley and partnering districts through real-world agricultural education experiences.
Students in the Sandy Valley Agriculture Business & Technology Program gain hands-on experience in science, leadership, business, technology, and agriculture through real-world learning opportunities.
This program is open to students from all backgrounds — not just students from farms. Whether students are interested in animals, plants, mechanics, environmental science, leadership, business, or skilled trades, agriculture education provides valuable career and life skills.
Students have opportunities to:
Participate in FFA leadership activities and competitions
Earn industry credentials
Work in the greenhouse and laboratory settings
Explore agricultural careers and internships
Develop communication and teamwork skills
Participate in field trips, camps, conventions, and community service
Build career readiness and employability skills
AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND NATURAL RESOURCES
This first course in the career field is an introduction to Agricultural and Environmental Systems. Students will be introduced to the scope of the Agricultural and Environmental Systems career field. They will examine principles of food science, natural resource management, animal science & management, plant & horticultural science, power technology and bioscience. Students will examine the FFA organization and Supervised Agricultural Experience programs. Throughout the course, students will develop communication, leadership and business skills essential to the agriculture industry.
ANIMAL AND PLANT SCIENCE (Replaces science credit)
Students will apply knowledge of animal and plant science to the agriculture industry. They will be introduced to the value of production animals relative to the agricultural marketplace. Students will engage in animal classification and selection, body systems, along with animal welfare and behavior in relation to the production of animals. Students will learn principles of plant anatomy and physiology, and the role of nutrition, deficiencies and growing environment on plant production. Throughout the course, business principles and professional skills will be examined.
LIVESTOCK SELECTION, NUTRITION, AND MANAGEMENT
Students will identify and apply principles and routine husbandry practices to production animal populations. Topics will include principles of nutrition, feed utilization, animal welfare, selection and management of facilities and herd populations. Students will apply knowledge of production animal care to enhance animal growth, selection of breeding stock, and management practices. Throughout the course, students will develop management plans reflecting practices for care and legal compliance.
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT FOR AGRICULTURAL & ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
Focuses on the management and operational side of agribusiness. Students will apply principles of finance, human resources, production, and supply chain management within agricultural enterprises. This class emphasizes skills directly tied to running or managing a business, farm, or ag service.
NICKI GORDON-COY: Agriculture Pathways Instructor and FFA Advisor: n.gordon-coy@svlocal.org
LORI TRACHSEL: Floral Instructor and Sandy Valley's Tuscarawas County FFA Jr. Fair Coordinator: l.trachsel@svlocal.org
JACOB GAMBER: Middle School Agriculture Educator j.gamber@svlocal.org
RYAN WHITE: School Counselor, Career-Tech Coordinator: r.white@svlocal.org
ALIVIA STAMP: Sandy Valley High School Principal: a.stamp@svlocal.org
BRIAN MOHN: South Stark Career Academy Director of Career-Tech: brian.mohn@cantonlocal.org
Ag Explorer FFA: A career resource to help you explore the broad range of careers within the industry of agriculture
Ohio FFA SAE (Supervised Agricultural Education) Project Information
Ohio Department of Education Career-Tech Pathways: Agricultural and Environmental Systems
Ohio Department of Education Graduation Pathways: Industry Credential & WorkKeys (current). Standby for upcoming information on how Horticulture can earn a diploma seal towards the new graduation requirements (Class of 2023 and beyond)!
Career Tech Honors Diploma: ODE Requirements & Sandy Valley Requirements
