AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT
Agriculture Department - Course Overviews
Agribusiness
Course Number(s): AG3001, AG3002, AG3003
Credit(s): 3 Grade(s): 12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
Agriculture and business go hand in hand. See how, and apply it in this course designed for seniors. Students will learn about general financial management, personal finances, budgeting, insurance, getting a loan, taxes, saving money, applying and interviewing for a job, preparing financial statements for a business. Students will create a business plan and see what it takes to successfully start and operate a business. Students will also apply personal work experience in class. Students in this course will be enrolled in the Waseca FFA Program.
Internship (Work) Program
Course Number(s): BU3145, BU3146, BU3147 (one hour); BU3148, BU3149, BU3150 (two hours)
Credit(s): 3-6 Grade(s): 12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
*This is the work program course for ALL Waseca High School internships.
*Students may earn 1-2 credits each trimester.
*Students MUST have proof of employment on the first day of class.
The Internship program is designed to strengthen student learning by engaging students in on-the-job learning opportunities and provide meaningful business experiences outside the classroom. Student work schedules will vary depending on where they choose to work. Students must also register for one of three required classes: Agribusiness, Business Seminar (BPA), or Marketing 2 (DECA).
Animal Science 1
Course Number(s): AG3004
Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
The major focus of the Animal Science 1 course is to expose students to agriculture, animal science, and related career options. Students participating in the course will have experiences in various animal science concepts with exciting hands-on activities, projects, and problems. Students’ experiences will involve the study of animal anatomy, physiology, behavior, nutrition, reproduction, health, selection, and marketing.
Animal Science 2
Course Number(s): AG3005
Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): Animal Science 1
A continuation of Animal Science 1. Students will explore hands-on projects and activities to learn the characteristics of animal science and work on major projects and problems similar to those that animal science specialists, such as veterinarians, zoologists, livestock producers, and industry personnel, face in their respective careers.
Companion Animal Science
Course Number(s): AG3006
Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
Explore the science of small animal care, diseases, habits, training, and veterinary science. We will focus on dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles, guinea pigs, and pet fish. Learn about animal selection, safety and proper animal welfare.
Crop Science
*This course is offered every other year. See table below for year offerings.
Course Number(s): AG3007
Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
Learn about crops from a biological perspective. Study the history of monoculture crops and how they have helped us to improve as a society. Learn about various crops, insects, weeds and diseases. Understand chemical application formulas and integrated pest management concepts. Learn about technical advances in crop science including drones and GIS/GPS.
Fish and Wildlife Management
Course Number(s): AG3009
Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
This course is for students interested in hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. Species focused on include deer, fish, waterfowl, upland game fowl, and other small game mammals. Topics included are wildlife conservation and administration, current hunting issues, ecology, outdoor survival, hunting methods, game laws and wildlife management.
Food Science (not offered during the '23-'24 school year)
*This course is offered every other year. See table below for year offerings.
Course Number(s): AG3021
Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
Food Science and Safety students will complete hands-on activities, projects, and problems that simulate actual concepts and situations found in the food science and safety industry, allowing students to build content knowledge and technical skills. In Food Science 1, students will explore an introduction to Food Science including lab notebooks, sensory evaluation, safety principles and chemistry of the foods we love to eat! Who knew that Science could be delicious?
Leadership
*This course is offered every other year. See table below for year offerings.
Course Number(s): AG3011
Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 10-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
What makes a good leader? Learn about different skills you can develop to be a better leader through hands-on activities and projects. Topics for this course include Understanding Leadership, Communication Forms and Public Speaking, Parliamentary Procedure, Managerial Leadership Skills and Personal Development. Students in this course will be enrolled in the Waseca FFA Program.
Natural Resources (not offered during the '23-'24 school year)
*This course is offered every other year. See table below for year offerings.
Course Number(s): AG3012
Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
Are you interested in managing our natural resources as a career path or as a future landowner? This course explores the role of natural resources including soil, air, water, wood and energy in our environment and economy today. Topics include soil formation, erosion, and conservation, water use, pollution, and improvement, alternative energy and forestry concepts.
Plant Science
*This course is offered every other year. See table below for year offerings.
Course Number(s): AG3013
Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
Learn how plants grow, survive, reproduce and do the amazing things they do. Study plant structure, physiology and growth through hands-on learning and experiments. Propagate plants, practice gardening principles and learn how to maintain and manage plants in this applied science course. Students will learn many aspects of the plant science industry including cultivation, landscape design and floriculture.
Small Engines
Course Number(s): AG3014
Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
Do you know how an engine works? In this hands-on course, students will examine small gasoline powered engines from both a theoretical and practical point of view. Procedures for repair and replacement of engine parts and components will be discussed. Students will work on Briggs & Stratton 4-cycle engines, completing a tear down and rebuild.
Summer Agriculture Program
Course Number(s): N/A
Credit(s): 1 Grade(s): 9-12
Course Type: Elective
Prerequisite(s): None
*Instructor permission required
Summer Ag time-flexible program for students and the schedule will be designed around the needs of the students who participate. Students must be going into 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grades in the following school year. Students will attend 30 hours of class time, including field trips, landscaping, and FFA Barnyard shifts. Students will maintain a Supervised Agricultural Experience outside of class (minimum of 30 hours). Students will earn 1 trimester credit at WHS and hours of Agriculture Education to put toward FFA degrees and awards. Students should see the instructor to register in May.
