Agriculture Courses

This course explores the physical and chemical nature of soil as well as the relationships between soil, plants, animals and agricultural practices. Students will examine properties of soil and land and their connections to plant and animal production. Using knowledge of scientific protocols as well as course content, students will develop an Agriscience research program to be conducted throughout the first semester of the course. To complete that whole project each student will investigate and test an Agriscience research question by formulating a scientific question related to the course content, formulating a hypothesis based on related research, conducting an experiment to test the hypothesis, collecting quantitative data, and forming a conclusion based on analysis of the data. The result of this research program will be an in depth research and experimentation paper that is technically written, based on scientific protocol, and cited using APA formatting. Additionally, students will develop and present a capstone soil management plan for agricultural producers, using the content learned throughout the course. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in intra-curricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program.

This course explores the physical and chemical nature of soil as well as the relationships between soil, plants, animals and agricultural practices. Students will examine properties of soil and land and their connections to plant and animal production. Using knowledge of scientific protocols as well as course content, students will develop an Agriscience research program to be conducted throughout the first semester of the course. To complete that whole project each student will investigate and test an Agriscience research question by formulating a scientific question related to the course content, formulating a hypothesis based on related research, conducting an experiment to test the hypothesis, collecting quantitative data, and forming a conclusion based on analysis of the data. The result of this research program will be an in depth research and experimentation paper that is technically written, based on scientific protocol, and cited using APA formatting. Additionally, students will develop and present a capstone soil management plan for agricultural producers, using the content learned throughout the course. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in intra-curricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program.

This integrated class combines an interdisciplinary approach to laboratory science and research with agricultural management principles. Using skills and principles learned in the course, students design systems and experiments to solve agricultural management issues currently facing the industry. Additionally, students will connect the products created in this class with industry activities to link real world encounters and implement skills demanded by both colleges and careers. The course culminates with an agriscience experimental research project in which students design and conduct an experiment to solve a relevant issue. Final projects will be eligible for Career Development Event competition at FFA events. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in intra-curricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program.

This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge and skills required for entry into horticulture fields. Emphasis will be on plant identification, plant propagation and related cultural practices. An important aim of this course is to develop in the student an appreciation of horticulture in their environment. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in intra-curricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program.

The Art and History of Floral Design provides an introduction to artistic and creative perception including aesthetic valuing through a series of projects in various media including tempera, pencil, flowers, tile and a variety of papers. Students are also introduced to the elements and principles of visual art design such as line, shape/form, color, balance, and emphasis using a series of floral-based projects to explore the connections, relations, and application to visual arts design. Students research and study floral trends to understand and develop an appreciation for floral design within historical and cultural, formal and casual, ceremonial and traditional, including an understanding that floral designs are affected by society, culture, history, politics, and economic influence. Various assignments based on abstract two and three dimensional designs, historical culture and theory, color theory, and analytical critiques of various floral art works using design vocabulary in conjunction with development of technical skills in floral art serve as a foundation for more complex works such as multi-part floral designs and creative expression through wedding consultations. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in intra-curricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. There is a course enrichment fee of $25.00.

This course includes an introduction to shop safety, tool identification, cold metal work, woodworking, basic electrical wiring, concrete, plumbing, and tool maintenance. Students are given an opportunity to construct projects for their home or agricultural program. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in intra-curricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. Personal protective equipment and a course enrichment fee of $25.00 are required.

Ag Welding provides individualized instruction in developing fabrication skills in shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding and oxyacetylene welding. In addition several cutting methods are covered. Selection of welding method, welding rod, metals, and equipment are discussed. Students have the opportunity to develop skills in welding metal in the flat, horizontal, and vertical positions. In addition to welding, a unit in electricity is covered. One grading quarter (45 days) is allotted for students to design, construct, and evaluate an agriculture-related project of their choice. Students are required to exhibit their projects at the local county fair and the California State Fair. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in intra-curricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. Protective equipment and a course enrichment fee of $25.00 are required.

Welding & Fabrication provides serious students with entry-level skills at the completion of the course. Instruction is provided in advanced Shielded Metal and Gas Metal Arc Welding (M.I.G.) and advanced OxyAcetylene Welding. Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (T.I.G.) is also covered. Students are required to develop skills in welding overhead and completing welding certification tests, along with refining skills in operating the Air Carbon Arc, Plasma Arc, and Oxy-Acetylene cutting units. Students receive instruction in safety, hand and power tool usage, planning, and material selection and usage as related to the construction of items used around the shop and home. Students experiment with their own ideas and methods in the design and fabrication of an individual project. Students are allowed one semester to complete this task. If taken a second year, students are able to work on more complex projects that are more intense in design and fabrication. Students are encouraged to exhibit their projects at the local county fair and the California State Fair. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in intra-curricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. Protective equipment and course enrichment fee will be the responsibility of each participating student.

Opportunities exist in Wood Construction that allow students to learn how to properly use hand and power tools, plan and build projects, and identify materials. Safety procedures, fabrication techniques, and applying wood finishes are also studied as students make products that can be used in the home. Protective equipment and course enrichment fee will be the responsibility of each participating student. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in intra-curricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program.

This course is designed for students who would like to further develop their knowledge and skills on wood structures. Students will build on their knowledge of proper/safe use of hand and power tools, and wood machinery operation. Students will then be able to identify, design, plan and build wood projects. As the students are working on projects they will continue to develop their: knowledge of safety, material selection and identification,multitude of construction techniques, and application of various wood finishes. The second semester is going to be for students to design and construct a project of their choice. Students are required to exhibit their projects at the local county fair and the California State Fair if the project qualifies. Personal protective equipment and a course enrichment fee are required.

Ag Business and Leadership is a concentrator course for our CTE Ag Business Pathway and is project-based course aimed at increasing students' leadership capabilities. Through the planning and execution of numerous events for the school's FFA chapter, students will discover how to best effect change in their communities. Students will read extensively about the nature of leadership and its different styles. Additionally, students frequently write - critically, reflectively, persuasively, - and speak about the real world issues in Agriculture. Topics will include current issues in Ag legislation, development of personal leadership skills, FFA operations, FFA Judging Teams, and exploration of past and present needs in the Ag Industry and its leaders. A Supervised Agricultural Experience Project is required and will be developed with the aid of the instructor. Students will help plan, organize and put on events in FFA. Students are required to complete 20 hours per semester. FFA participation and SAE, Supervised Agricultural Experience, Project will be part of the grade for this course.