Agriculture

Agriculture

Feeding the World

Do you love nature? Are you interested in science and feeding the world? This program is all about connecting with our resources and using the combined understandings of biology and chemistry to make the world better with crops and animals. From soil composition to livestock management, you can discover what you’re most passionate about and pursue a career in agriculture that will affect our communities and the world at large. Classes are a combination of lecture/discussion periods, lab exercises, and field trips.

Career options & salary range

Veterinarian, teacher, floral design, landscaper, drone technician, agricultural marketing, scientist or researcher, geneticist, animal trainer, feedlot manager, greenhouse production or management, farmer, company CEO, equipment technician or inspector, equipment mechanic, equipment sales, plus many more!

Skills learned

  • Build a foundation of knowledge in animal science from animal behavior to genetics and health and learn how this knowledge applies to today’s livestock industries
  • Build a foundation of knowledge in plant and crop science from the basics of plant growth to the complexities of soil and horticulture
  • Understand current issues and regulatory hurdles related to these fields and discover career pathways into agricultural fields that interest you
Grade
10

You can begin this program in 10th or 11th grade with the options to start with Animal Biology 201 or Horticulture 101. See your counselor for details.

Your Contact

Program of Study Lead

Kaitlyn Smith

Agriculture Instructor

(509) 972-5900

smithkaitlyn@WVSD208.ORG

  • Pathways

  • After graduation

    Vet assistant, lab assistant, nursery or greenhouse worker

  • 2-year options

    Veterinary technician, floral design, landscaping

  • 4-year options

    Agricultural teacher, animal producer, business owner

  • 6-year options (Master)

    Animal nutritional consultant

  • 8-year options (Doctorate)

    Veterinarian, plant or animal geneticist

  • 10-12 year options (Specialization)

    Animal anesthesiologist or animal dentist

Program requirements
AFNR 101/102 1.0
Animal Science 201/202 1.0
Animal Science 301 0.5
Horticulture Science 101/102 1.0
Horticulture Science 202 0.5
4.0 credit(s)

College credit earned

  • YVC AG 101 - Intro to Agriculture
  • YVC AGSCI 101 - Intro to Plant Science
  • YVC AGSCI 130 - Intro to Animal Science

Certifications & training

  • CASE Certification Animals Food & Natural Resources
  • CASE Certification Horticulture
  • CASE Certification Animal Biology

Courses

Agriculture, Foods, and Natural Resources AFNR 101/102 ‐ 1 Credit(s)

Duration ‐ Two semesters; 1.0 credit Science and/or Career and Technical Education

Prerequisite ‐ None

Fees and Costs ‐ None

Course Overview

This entry-level course introduces students to agricultural opportunities, enabling all students to experience an overview of the fields of agricultural science and natural resources so that students may continue through a pathway of courses through high school. Leadership, teamwork, science, mathematics, reading, problem solving, and writing components are woven into the context of agriculture.

Students experience hands-on activities, projects, and problems in the following areas:

  • Agricultural Education – Agriculture, FFA, and SAE
  • Communication Methods
  • Science Processes
  • Natural Resources
  • Horticulture/Plant Science/Greenhouse
  • Animal Science
  • Agricultural Power and Technology

Throughout the course are activities to develop and improve the employability skills of students through practical applications. Students explore career and post-secondary opportunities in each area of the course.

Animal Science 201/202 ‐ 1 Credit(s)

Duration ‐ Two semesters; 1.0 credit Science and/or Career and Technical Education

Prerequisite ‐ Passing grade in Agriculture, Foods, and Natural Resources

Fees and Costs ‐ None

Course Overview

The major focus of the Animal Science course is to expose students to agriculture, animal science, and related career options. Students 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. Throughout the course, students will consider the perceptions and preferences of individuals within local, regional, and world markets. 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. In addition, students will understand specific connections between animal science lessons and Supervised Agricultural Experience and FFA components.

Students will investigate, experiment, and learn about documenting a project, solving problems, and communicating their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community.

Throughout the course are activities to develop and improve the employability skills of students through practical applications. Students explore career and post-secondary opportunities in each area of the course.

Animal Science 301 ‐ 0.5 Credit(s)

Duration ‐ One semester; 0.5 credit Science and/or Career and Technical Education

Prerequisite ‐ Animal Science 201/202 (passing grades and instructor recommendation)

Fees and Costs ‐ None

Course Overview

This course builds upon concepts learned in Animal Science 201/202 by providing students with the opportunity to concentrate on related concepts of interest to them such as:

  • Veterinary Science
  • Livestock Management
  • Biotechnology
  • Animal Food Science

Students will work under the guidance of the instructor while independently and in small groups working on research, hands-on activities, projects, and problems. Students will continue to develop their Supervised Agricultural Experience and related FFA leadership components. Students will investigate, experiment, and learn about documenting a project, solving problems, and communicating their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community.

Throughout the course are activities to develop and improve the employability skills of students through practical applications. Students explore career and post-secondary opportunities in areas they are focusing on.

Horticultural Science 101/102 ‐ 1 Credit(s)

Duration ‐ Two semesters; 1.0 credit Science and/or Career and Technical Education

Prerequisite ‐ Passing grade in Agriculture, Foods, and Natural Resources

Fees and Costs ‐ None

Course Overview

This course builds upon AFNR and provides a foundation of horticulture/plant science knowledge and skills. This course will strengthen the students' knowledge of science and through “hands-on” activities, experiments, and projects give them a better understanding of the environment, plant growth, plant classification and identification, the importance of soil, crop production, harvesting, and marketing. Students will use the greenhouse to grow various types of plants throughout the year. Seasonal projects such as wreaths, floral arrangements, and spring plant sales are part of this course. Students will also explore and work with regional crops. Students will investigate, experiment, and learn about documenting a project, solving problems, and communicating their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community.

In addition, students will understand specific connections between horticulture science lessons and Supervised Agricultural Experience and FFA components.

Throughout the course are activities to develop and improve the employability skills of students through practical applications. Students explore career and post-secondary opportunities in each area of the course.

Horticultural Science 202 ‐ 0.5 Credit(s)

Duration ‐ One semester; 0.5 credits Career and Technical Education

Prerequisite ‐ Horticulture Science 201/202 (passing grades and instructor recommendation)

Fees and Costs ‐ None

Course Overview

This course builds upon concepts learned in Horticulture Science 101/102 by providing students with the opportunity to concentrate on related concepts of interest to them such as:

  • Greenhouse and Turf Management
  • Fruit Sciences
  • Floriculture
  • Biotechnology
  • Food Science

Students will work under the guidance of the instructor while independently and in small groups working on research, hands-on activities, projects, and problems. Students will continue to develop their Supervised Agricultural Experience and related FFA leadership components. Students will investigate, experiment, and learn about documenting a project, solving problems, and communicating their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community.

Throughout the course are activities to develop and improve the employability skills of students through practical applications. Students explore career and post-secondary opportunities in areas they are focusing on.