CAREER-TECHNICAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

JUNIOR YEAR

• 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.

SENIOR YEAR

• 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.

• AGRONOMIC SYSTEMS

Students will apply knowledge and skills required to research, develop, produce and market major agricultural and horticultural crops. Cultural and sustainable production practices will be examined while students apply scientific knowledge of plant development, nutrition and growth regulation. The knowledge and skills needed to manage water, soils, and pests related to agronomic crops will be assessed. Students will employ technological advances, communication, business, and management strategies appropriate for the industry.