8th Grade Introduction to Agriculture - Instructor Tim Larrick
Intro to agriculture is a curriculum designed to provide instruction about agriculture for 8th grade students. Lessons within the curriculum help introduce students to a problem solving approach as they gain a base knowledge of agriculture. Student-oriented activities and units in the shop are included to provide students with experiential learning (a chance to learn by doing). During the quarter students will cover units including animal terminology, agriculture facts and statistics, how to read a tape measure, building a wood project, animal quiz bowl, and beginning welding.
Agricultural Science I - Instructor Tim Larrick
This course is recommended as an introductory course in the agricultural education program. However, this is not a requirement. Credits of instruction include animal nutrition, animal selection, swine production, beef production, sheep production, careers in agriculture, record keeping, woodworking, arc welding, and oxygen/acetylene cutting. This class will offer "hands-on" experience in animal selection, welding, and woodworking. Students will have the opportunity to participate in several contests including: FFA Knowledge, Livestock Judging, Dairy Cow Judging and Management, Creed Speaking, and Poultry Selection and Management. All students are required to have a Supervised Agriculture Experience Program (project). Projects can be experience in small or large animal production, crop production, working in a grocery store or agribusiness, working for a farmer, lawn mowing or planting trees. Students may select as many projects as they want, and projects are only limited by resources and imagination. FFA is an integral part of the course. The student will have the opportunity to be involved in leadership activities, community service activities, recreational activities, and to receive recognition for accomplishments made in the classroom or with the students' project. FFA members have the opportunity to participate in activities from the local to national level. Students who excel in participation of FFA and agricultural education activities can earn college scholarships. This course will help students to prepare for careers such as a cattle buyer, livestock specialist, veterinarian, animal health distributor, animal inspector, nutritionist, agricultural education instructor, or farming. (1 credit) 9-12.
Agricultural Science II - Instructor Kathryn Coon
It is recommended that students have taken Agricultural Science I or Horticulture I prior to this class. Agricultural Science II is recommended for students interested in production agriculture as well as other agriculture careers. For information on projects and FFA, see Agricultural Science I or Horticulture I. Credits of study in this course will include: plant growth and reproduction, soil, fertilizers, field crops, weeds, careers, small tool projects, arc and MIG welding, oxygen and acetylene welding and cutting, welding project construction, and entomology. Students in this class may participate in several contests on the area, district, and state level. They are Public Speaking, Parliamentary Procedure, Agronomy, Soils, Poultry, and Entomology. This course will help prepare students for careers such as: agronomist, farm herdsman, grain farmer, welder, machinist, ag chemical dealer, pest control technician, or soil scientist. (1 credit) 10-12.
Agricultural Science III - Instructor Tim Larrick
Ag. Science III is a course focused on gaining a deeper understanding of topics in animal science. This course is designed for upperclassmen, specifically junior (11th grade) and senior (12th grade) students. Students are expected to keep a set of notes over every unit of instruction for tests at the end of each unit. Throughout the year, students will be required to maintain a record book over their SAE project, which they will close out in January. Units covered within this course are Animal Behavior, Beef, Swine, Sheep, Dairy and Equine Science.
It is recommended that students have taken Agricultural Science I prior to taking this class. The instructional program prepares individuals to understand the principles of nutrition; the selection of meat products including beef, pork, lamb, and poultry; the preparation and care of food; the processing of food such as canning; understanding and promoting nutritional knowledge; marketing food products; and application of related math and science skills. The future goal of this class is to incorporate more food science activities to prepare students for careers in food production, processing, and marketing. (1 credit) 10-12.
Greenhouse: This course deals with the basic understanding of greenhouse techniques. The production of greenhouse crops will be used to demonstrate these procedures. Plants are started from cuttings, seeds, grafts, or by layer. Students will manage their own crop as a greenhouse project. All students are required to have a Supervised Agricultural Experience Program (project). Projects can be experience in small or large animal production, crop production, working in a grocery store or other agribusiness (such as a greenhouse), working for a farmer, lawn mowing or planting trees. Students may select as many projects as they want, and projects are only limited by resources and imagination. FFA is an integral part of the course. The student will have the opportunity to be involved in leadership activities, community service activities, recreational activities, and to receive recognition for accomplishments made in the classroom or with the students project. FFA members have the opportunity to participate in activities from the local to national level. Students who excel in participation of FFA and agricultural education activities can earn college scholarships. Students will have the opportunity to participate in several contests such as: Nursery Landscaping and Floriculture. (1 credit) 10-12.
Ag. Power (Semester Course) - Instructor Kathryn Coon
The repair of 4-cycle engines used on lawn mowers and garden tillers will be studied in this class. The parts and function of the engine are studied prior to repair of motors. Also, the use of a parts manual and types of tools necessary for proper overhaul will be studied. Each student or pair of students will receive a set of tools to use during the course. Principles of operation learned in this class are basic principles of all engine operations. This class may help to prepare students for careers in engine maintenance and overhaul and will provide a life skill to anyone planning to own a small engine. Students will be required to have some type of SAE program. (1/2 credit) 11-12.
Ag. Structures (Semester Course) - Instructor Kathryn Coon In this class students will study the design, material used, and development of plans for construction of buildings and equipment. Small buildings and all types of wood projects will be constructed. Students in this class will have the opportunity to participate in the Agricultural Mechanics, Public Speaking, and Parliamentary Procedure contests on the district and state levels. See the course description for Agricultural Science I and II for information on projects and FFA. This class will help prepare the student for careers in carpentry, building contracting, and maintenance. Students will be required to have some type of SAE program. (1/2 credit) 11-12.
Ag. Construction Metals - Instructor Tim Larrick
It is recommended that students have taken Agricultural Science I or II prior to taking this class as basic shop skills are taught in those classes. This course will include credits of instruction in shop tool use and safety, advanced arc and MIG welding, advanced lessons in gas welding, plasma arc welding and record keeping. Students will have the opportunity for construction of large metal projects. Students in this class will have the opportunity to participate in the Agricultural Mechanics, Public Speaking, and Parliamentary Procedure contest on the district and state level. See the course description for Agricultural Science I and II for information on projects and FFA. This course will help prepare students for careers in welding, construction engineering, agricultural equipment designing, agricultural safety, machinist, mechanic, or farming. (1 credit) 11-12.
Ag. Construction Woods - Instructor Kathryn Coon
It is recommended that students have taken Agricultural Science I or II prior to taking this class as basic shop skills are taught in those classes. This course will include credits of instruction in shop tool use and safety, advanced wood construction, advanced lessons in measuring, leveling, squaring, fastening, and finishing projects. Students will have the opportunity for construction of large wood projects. Students in this class will have the opportunity to participate in the Agricultural Mechanics, Public Speaking, and Parliamentary Procedure contest on the district and state level. See the course description for Agricultural Science I and II for information on projects and FFA. This course will help prepare students for careers in woodworking, construction engineering, agricultural equipment designing, agricultural safety, or farming. (1 credit) 11-12.