Agricultural Education Classes

Ag Class offerings at Wapsie Valley

Introduction to Agriculture

2 Semesters

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: None

This course introduces students to Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) through hands-on activities and interactive learning. Students will explore multiple agriculture pathways including animal systems, plant systems and natural resource management, while building skills in communication, leadership and recordkeeping. Students will also learn about the agricultural education program, including FFA and SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience). This course is perfect for students who want to understand the role of agriculture in the world.

Animal Science

1 Semester

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture

This course immerses students in sustained work-based learning experiences in animal agriculture through a structured partnership with local farms, veterinarians, or production operations. Students actively engage in real tasks—such as feeding, health checks, breeding, record keeping, and production monitoring—and collaborate with industry mentors on projects aligned with employer needs. Throughout the semester, learners apply scientific principles, observe animal behavior, and explore innovations in dairy, beef, pork, sheep, goat, and poultry systems. This course is structured so all students participate in meaningful, employer-partnered work, meeting the state’s definition of qualifying work-based learning. Ideal for students interested in animal agriculture and related careers.

Advanced Animal Science

1 Semester

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture, Animal Science

This course builds on foundational animal science knowledge and integrates meaningful, sustained work-based learning experiences in partnership with local farms, animal health clinics, breeding operations, or production enterprises. Students will engage in real, employer-guided tasks—such as developing and implementing nutrition plans, monitoring health and genetics programs, assisting in breeding and reproduction processes, and diagnosing and preventing disease—under the mentorship of industry professionals. Through these immersive, workplace-based opportunities, learners will apply scientific principles to address real animal production challenges, refine best practices in health and genetic management, and contribute to ongoing projects within animal agriculture operations. 

Greenhouse Production

1 Semester

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture

This course provides students with sustained, employer-partnered work-based learning experiences in horticulture and greenhouse management. Through collaboration with local greenhouses, landscape businesses, or aquaculture operations, students participate in authentic workplace tasks such as plant propagation, crop care, system monitoring, and customer service projects. Guided by both educators and industry mentors, students apply classroom knowledge in real production settings, manage seasonal greenhouse operations, and explore innovations in aquaculture and plant systems. The course ensures that all students take part in structured, career-connected projects.

Horticulture

1 Semester

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture

This course connects students with sustained, work-based learning experiences in partnership with local horticulture, landscaping, and greenhouse employers. Learners participate in authentic industry tasks such as plant propagation, garden design, soil testing, pest management, and seasonal crop care while working alongside professional mentors. Classroom instruction is integrated with employer-guided projects that emphasize sustainability, plant health, and landscape management. All students gain real-world experience that prepares them for careers in landscaping, floriculture, greenhouse operations, and related horticultural fields. May be taken as a science elective.

Plant & Soil Science

1 Semester

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture

This course provides students with sustained, work-based learning opportunities in partnership with local agronomy businesses, seed companies, or conservation agencies. Students engage in authentic workplace tasks such as soil testing, nutrient management planning, crop scouting, and evaluating environmental impacts on crop growth. Working alongside industry mentors and using the school’s test plot, students apply plant biology and soil science concepts to real production challenges. All students participate in structured, career-connected projects that strengthen their knowledge of agronomy, environmental stewardship, and production agriculture.

Ag Processing

1 Semester

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture

This course provides students with sustained, work-based learning experiences in partnership with local agricultural processing businesses, meat production facilities, and craft producers. Students engage in authentic workplace tasks such as evaluating meat quality, applying processing techniques, producing value-added goods, and exploring by-product innovation. Through structured projects and mentorship from industry professionals, students apply classroom learning to real-world processing challenges. All students participate in meaningful, employer-guided experiences to prepare them for careers in agricultural production, food science, and value-added product development.

Conservation/Natural Resources

1 Semester

Grade: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture

This course provides students with sustained, work-based learning opportunities in partnership with local conservation agencies, natural resource organizations, or environmental consulting firms. Students participate in authentic workplace tasks such as assessing ecosystem health, identifying invasive species, conducting habitat evaluations, setting game management plans, and analyzing pollution sources. These experiences are guided by industry mentors and paired with classroom instruction on environmental science, wildlife management, and conservation practices. All students engage in structured, career-connected projects, preparing them for careers in environmental science, natural resource management, and conservation. May be taken as a science elective.

Ag Leadership

1 Semester

Grade: 12 (Instructor Approval)

Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture, Senior FFA Member

This course provides seniors with sustained, work-based learning experiences that develop leadership, project management, and professional skills through active participation in FFA chapter activities. Students engage in authentic workplace tasks such as organizing philanthropic events, planning and executing fundraisers, developing proficiency projects, completing record-keeping, and preparing scholarship applications. Working alongside agricultural educators and industry mentors, students connect classroom learning to real-world leadership and career development in agriculture. All students participate in structured, career-connected projects strengthening their leadership capabilities and preparing them for postsecondary opportunities in agriculture and related fields.