Ag Courses Offered

Courses Offered Within the Crane Agriculture Department

Middle School

Exploring Agriculture (7-8th grade) – A general literacy course designed to introduce and apply life skills related to one of America’s basic industries - agriculture. Units of instruction will be selected from Introduction to Agriculture, Plant Science, Animals in Society, Products from Agriculture, Natural Resources and Conservation, Leadership and Personal Development, and Basic Home and Farmstead Safety and Maintenance.

High School

Agricultural Science I (1 Year) – A course designed for instruction in animal science, agricultural mechanics, career exploration, leadership and, and supervised agricultural experience.  Units may include agribusiness, natural resources, and food science.

Agribusiness Sales and Marketing and Management (1 Semester) – This course includes human relations, personal, and other experiences necessary for employment in, and transporting supplies and products.

Agricultural Construction (1 Year) – This course utilizes welding in the development and construction of major metal and wood projects.

Animal Science (1 Semester) – Advanced study in animal production, management, marketing, nutrition, breeding, production   selection, animal   health, waste   management, and biotechnology may be included in this course.

Conservation of Natural Resources (1 Semester) –This course prepares students for activities in the conservation and/or improvement of natural resources such as oil, water, air, forests, fish and wildlife for economic and recreational purposes.

Floriculture (1 Semester) – This course includes the production, arrangement and retailing of flowers. It includes fresh, silk, or dried flowers to be used in the design of corsages, wedding bouquets, table flower arrangements, and seasonal holiday decorations.

Greenhouse Operation and Management (1 Semester) – This course develops a basic understanding of greenhouse techniques.  The production of greenhouse crops will be used to demonstrate procedures such as plants started from cuttings, seeds, grafts, and layering.  Students will manage their own crop as a greenhouse project. 

Landscaping (1 Semester) – This course includes the basic techniques of landscape design, landscape construction, installation, and maintenance.

Veterinary Science (1 Semester) –Both food and companion animals are studied in this course.  Topics include cell and, disease prevention and diagnosis, and surgical procedures.

Potential Future Classes for Rotations

Agricultural Communications and Leadership (1 Semester) – This course will enable students to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills to demonstrate positive leadership for agriculture. Areas of focus include public speaking, extemporaneous speaking, impromptu speaking, written communication, meeting people, good first impressions, personal goals, teamwork, team/organizational   goals, organizing   groups to   take action and   evaluation   of team/organizational actions.

Agricultural Management and Economics (1 Semester) – This course combines farm management, agribusiness management, and content based on agricultural economic principles. Computer applications are included to enhance student understanding and utilization of current technology. Units include human relations, verbal and   written communication, microcomputers in agriculture, economic principles, farm planning, agribusiness functions, and business management.

Agricultural Structures (1 Semester) – This course includes electrical wiring, electrical motors, concrete masonry, plumbing and, farm fences, product handling and processing equipment, and farm buildings.

Crop Science (1 Semester) – Units in this course include growing systems, plant selection, production practices, harvesting, storing, marketing, fertilization, soils, conservation, chemicals, integrated pest management, water quality, and biotechnology.

Food Science and Technology (1 Semester) – This course includes the areas of food chemistry and nutrition, food additives, food packaging and labeling, evaluation of foods, food microbiology, food processing, food fermentation, principles of sanitation and quality control. 

Nursery Operation and Management (1 Semester) – This course includes the production of plants, shrubs, and trees for the purpose of transplanting or propagation.  Approved practices in wholesaling and retailing of nursery crops will be applied.

Agricultural Power I (1 Semester) – This course develops skills in the maintenance, repair, adjustment, and overhaul of small engines.