Agriculture Classes Offered

Agriculture Course Offerings for 2009-10

The following classes will be offered for students during the 2009-10 school year.  Please read about  the courses listed below.  You should see a course description, requirements and class activity pictures.

 

FOOD SCIENCE & AG PROCESSING

*NEW CLASS*

Grades:  11 & 12  Credit:  0.5    Length:  Semester

 Prerequisites:  None 

Content:  Want to learn more about your food? This class will track agricultural products from the farmer to the consumer. We will be working with dairy products, cereals, grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, eggs, fish, beverages and more! Students will also gain an understanding of food safety and careers in food science industry.  Students will learn through classroom discussions, demonstrations, lectures and experiments. Laboratory activities relating to each unit will be incorporated when appropriate.

EQUINE AND EXOTICS

*NEW CLASS*
Grades: 10,11,12      Credit: 0.5                 Length: Semester
Prerequisites: Introduction to Veterinary Science 
Content:In this course we will explore the anomalies of the animal world as we explore and learn about habitats, diet and adaptations animals have from land to sea and sky. Half the course will explore equine and half the course will explore exotics. In the exotic portion of the class we will explore the theory of evolution, differentiation between species, compare their habitats and individual species survival. In the equine portion of the class students will look in depth at horse history, breeds, uses, anatomy, physiology, recreation, care, diseases, management and current issues that horses face today. Horses may be used for actual labs to demonstrate digestion, tacking, anatomy, health care and other such uses.

LARGE ANIMAL SCIENCE

*NEW CLASS*

Grade: 9, 11, 12   Credit:  0.5  

Length:  Semester (2nd Semester Only)

Prerequisites:  Introduction to Agriculture or Small Animal Care

Content: This course is designed to give students advanced knowledge of large farm animals.  The production animals that will be covered will include diary, beef, swine, poultry, sheep, and goats. This course will provide an understanding of breeds, animal health, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, training, and judging of each animal.  Students will learn information, knowledge, and skills associated with careers in animal production and animal science. This curriculum provides laboratory, lecture, and hand on activities.  Students will learn through classroom discussions, demonstrations, notes, lectures, and experiments.  Student self-guided learning using technology will be incorporated into the course.  Guest speakers and field trips to businesses will be utilized when appropriate for the lessons.  Laboratory activities relating to each of the species will be incorporated into the course work.  Students can expect to take part in FFA activities. 

INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12           Credit: 0.5           Length: Semester        

Prerequisites: None - Suggested as introductory course                 

Content: This introductory course will acquaint students with the broad field of agribusiness.  The student will explore career clusters such as agriculture production; pet/pleasure animals and crops; natural resources including soil, air, water, forestry, and wildlife; and the production and processing of meats, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.  Horticultural science, including greenhouse, nursery and landscape/turf, will be covered as well as agribusiness sales and marketing and agriculture in government.  FFA and agricultural leadership opportunities are recommended and will be provided.  Resource speakers, field trips and hands-on activities will be included.  Students can expect to take part in FFA activities.

SMALL ANIMAL CARE I

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12             Credit: 0.5                       Length: Semester   
Prerequisites: None – Suggested as an introductory class
Content: This course is for students who enjoy domestic animals and want to learn more about the small animal industry and related careers. Animals discussed include dogs, cats, rabbits, small rodents, and other pet and laboratory animals. Topics discussed include safety, feeding, training, animal rights and welfare, anatomy, reproduction, health, behavior, housing, and equipment needed for care. Students will be working with animals in the classroom which will enhance the course materials. Students will take part in FFA activities.

                                                                     

ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY

Grades:  9, 10, 11, 12            Credit: 0.5                 Length: 1st Semester     
Prerequisites:  None - Introduction to Agriculture recommended    

Content:  This course is designed to give students an advanced knowledge of production animals and the science that is surrounding the industry.  Students will learn about the structural functions of reproduction, digestion, nervous, muscular and endocrine systems.  Students will gain an understanding of technical areas such as growth hormones, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, heat synchronization, and cloning to improve efficient livestock production.  Hands-on laboratories activities will be included.  Meets the life science requirements for graduation.  Students can expect to take part in FFA activities.  (Students planning to apply Animal Technology in meeting college entrance science requirements should verify acceptance with the intended college prior to enrollment in Animal Technology.)

SMALL ANIMAL CARE II

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12        Credit: 0.5        Length: 1st or 2nd Semester
Prerequisites: Completion of Small Animal Care & Management                           
Content: Want to learn more about the companion animals including horses? Then Small Animal Care and Management II is the course for you. This course will cover the classification, history, characteristics, housing and equipment, feeding, handling, diseases and ailments, and reproduction of the following species; ferrets, chinchillas, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and exotic pets. Students will learn through classroom discussions, demonstrations, notes, lectures, and experiments. Student self-guided learning using technology will be incorporated into the course. Guest speakers and field trips to businesses, research labs, and veterinarian offices will be utilized when appropriate for the lessons. Laboratory activities relating to each of the species will be incorporated into the course work. Students will handle and care for small animals. Students will be working with animals in the classroom, which will enhance the course materials. An animal welfare and career project will be developed as part of the course. Students will take part in FFA activities.
 

                                          

INTRODUCTION TO VET SCIENCE

 

Grades: 10, 11, 12     Credit: 0.5     Length: 1st or 2nd Semester
Prerequisites: Completion of Small Animal Care & Management or Animal Technology
Content: This course is designed for students who have a sincere interest in a career related to small animals. If you plan to become a veterinarian, small animal technician, animal scientist, or animal researcher, then this course is highly recommended. Topics to be discussed include medical terminology, anatomy, careers, safety, health, reproduction, scientific research and animal welfare. Each student will complete hands on veterinary skills including weighing an animal, diagnosis and administering a treatment, cleaning, clipping, grooming, and practicing mock surgery procedures. A school or community animal awareness project will be developed and facilitated through the course. Students will take part in FFA activities.

PLANT TECHNOLOGY

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12                  Credit: .5               Length: 2nd Semester

Prerequisites: None - Introduction to Agriculture recommended.      

                                                                           

Content: Students will study the processes involved in plant growth, production and reproduction.  The functions of plant structures, as well as crop production, will be studied.  Genetic improvement of plants, plant diseases, plant cultural practices and harvest of crops will be explored in detail.  There will be various identifications of crops, weeds and seeds.  (Students planning to apply Plant Technology in meeting college entrance science requirements should verify acceptance with the intended college prior to enrollment in Plant Technology.)  Students will take part in FFA career development activities.  Meets Life Science requirements for graduation.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN & GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12         Credit: 0.5   Length:  1st Semester        

Prerequisites: None - Suggested as introductory course                 

Content: In this course the students will learn how trees, shrubs, and other plant materials are grown and cared for.  They will draw and price complete landscape plans using the principles of landscape architecture.  They will understand the skills and practices needed to grow flowers, vegetables and other plants in a greenhouse.  Lawns, turf management, and other horticulture related occupations and careers will be discussed.  Computer aided designs will be generated to reflect complete landscape design, cost estimates and materials.  Students will take part in FFA activities.

                             

NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION

Grades: 11& 12           Credit: 0.5        Length: Semester        

Prerequisites: None

Content: This course will teach the wise use of our natural resources relative to our environment.  Students will develop an appreciation for resources and learn techniques used to manage them effectively.  Units of study include resource classification, water conservation, soil conservation, forestry, air pollution, minerals, energy, solid wastes, pesticides and noise pollution.  Students will take part in FFA career development activities.

WILDLIFE ECOLOGY

 

Grades: 11& 12           Credit: 0.5          Length: Semester      

Prerequisites: None

  

Content: This course examines how America’s resources provide aesthetic, scientific, recreational and economic benefits.  Units of study include the principles of fish and wildlife management, i.e., ecology, history of wildlife management, small game, big game, fur bearing animals, fish management, game laws and issues, endangered and threatened species, and aquaculture.  Students will take part in FFA career development activities.

 

AGBUSINESS MANAGEMENT

Grades: 11& 12           Credit: 0.5     Length: Semester      

Prerequisites: none

 

Content: Agribusiness Marketing and Management will introduce to the students the management decisions relating to proper selling and marketing of agricultural products.  The functions of product planning, pricing, packaging, warehousing, and shipping will be explored, as well as economic principles, marketing methods and options, insurance, and record keeping.  Agribusiness management will be explored along with training in using the computer information systems.  This course is designed to complement the Agribusiness Cooperative Education (ACE) program; however, students may elect this course without being enrolled in the Agribusiness Cooperative Education course.  Students will take part in FFA career development activities.

 

 

 

LEADERSHIP IN THE WORKPLACE

 Grades: 11& 12           Credit: 1          Length: Year    

Prerequisites :  Application must be completed

Content: This course is designed for those students who are going to be enrolled in ICE (Industrial Cooperative Education) or ACE (Agriculture Cooperative Education) or any Youth Apprenticeship program.  The classroom phase deals with all aspects of the world of work the student will someday encounter.  In the classroom, the students will learn: job-seeking skills, employer/co-worker relations, ways to obtain job promotions, how to research various careers, and other important aspects of how to get a job, keep it and become successful in a career.  Today’s employers are seeking students with these employability skills.  Selected students will participate in a one-week noncredit work readiness workshop the week after school ends.  In addition, they will study personal skills needed to get and hold a job, occupational safety, salesmanship, pricing, and other aspects to become successful in a career.  Students must have reliable transportation, purchase necessary clothing and tools as required by employer.  Join Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) or FFA.

 

AGRICULTURE COOPERATIVE EDUCATION

Grades: 11&12             Credit:1           Length: Year

Prerequisites: Must have completed or be enrolled in Leadership in the Workplace class.

Content: The student who has an agribusiness career objective in mind, or who would like to explore an agribusiness career and enter the work force upon graduation from high school, may be interested in this program.  Students will be placed on a job site based upon their interest.  For this work experience, students will receive one hour of school released time for job training, at a minimum hourly wage, plus one school credit for approximately 15 hours per week.  Students will take part in FFA career development activities.

AGRICULTURE APPRENTICESHIP

Grades: 11&12                Credit : 1              Length: Year

Prerequisites: Must have completed Coop and Leadership in the Workplace Classes.

Content: Youth Apprenticeship is an intensive two-year educational program for high school juniors and seniors combining school-based learning with work-based learning in a business or industry.  Students in youth apprentice programs receive school-based credit and work-based credit toward graduation upon successful completion of each course.  A Certificate of Proficiency in the specific program area will be earned if the identified business/industry competencies are completed to the proficiency level identified by the Governor’s Work-based Learning Board (GWBLB).  Youth Apprenticeship programs available in Janesville are: Production Agriculture - Crop & Soil Science, Production Agriculture - Dairy & Livestock Production.