General Science Pathway:

Introduction to CASE AFNR (9-12: No prior Ag Coursework Required) (1C, E) Prerequisite: None 

Certification Offered: National Safe Tractor Operations & Machines  Hours: 123

This course will include an introductory study of all the areas of agriscience using the Curriculum for Agriculture Science Education.  It will be an exploratory course designed to give interested students a broad overview of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) including animal science, plant science, natural resources, food, and fiber, ag technology and mechanics, agribusiness, agriscience careers, and leadership development. Students will gain leadership skills and receive hands-on experience through field trips and related activities.

Ag Biotechnology & Food Science (10-12) (1C, E, P = Intro to Ag Science or Intro to Ag Mech) Prerequisite: Intro to AFNR or Intro to Ag Mech or signature from the instructor  Certification Offered: ServSafe Food Handler Hours: 61.5

This course is designed to incorporate the technological advancements in agriculture and any potential impacts they may have. Areas of emphasis will include the overview of the biotechnology field and basic laboratory procedures, laboratory and workplace safety, use of technological and natural resources, plant and animal-derived food sources, food safety, consumer trends, and other technology across agriscience disciplines. Students will gain leadership skills and receive hands-on experience through field trips and related activities. *Will be offered alternating years with Horticulture I. 

Horticulture I (10-12) (1C, E, P = Intro to Ag Science or Intro to Ag Mech)  

Certification Offered: OSHA 10 (Ag Track)  Hours: 123

This course will explore the scientific principles involved in the production of horticultural plants including plant identification, environmental factors, plant health, plant growth, plant services, pest management, soil formation, soil nutrients, fertilizer and nutrient management, and soil science technologies.  Students will be involved in growing bedding plants and vegetable plants during the second semester of the course as part of greenhouse production. Students will gain leadership skills and receive hands-on experience through field trips and related activities.

Horticulture II (10-12) (½ C, E, P = Intro to Ag Science or Intro to Ag Mech or signature from the instructor)  

Certification Offered: OSHA 10 (Ag Track) Hours: 61.5

This course will explore more detailed components of Plant & Soil Science that are not dependent on things learned in Horticulture I. Students will develop plans to address nutrient pollution and integrated pest management. Furthermore, students will learn to classify plants and about elements of landscape design. Students will be involved in growing bedding plants and vegetable plants as part of greenhouse production. Students will gain leadership skills and receive hands-on experience through field trips and related activities.  *Will be offered alternating years with Horticulture I. 

Veterinary Science (10-12) (1C, E, P = Intro to Ag Science or Intro to Ag Mech)  

Certification Offered: iCEV Elanco Veterinary Medicine Applications, YQCA.  Hours: 123

This course will teach students the different aspects of being a veterinarian and veterinary technician. This includes the study of all the various animal systems, including the circulatory, respiratory, renal, digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems. Other topics include nutrition, species comparison, diseases, classifications, diagnosis, and disease prevention. The daily lives of veterinarians and vet technicians will be explored, including basic principles of surgery. These students will practice laboratory safety procedures and study new technologies. Students will gain leadership skills and receive hands-on experience through field trips and related activities.

Animal Science (10-12) (1C, E, P = Intro to AFNR or Intro to Ag Mech) 

Certification Offered: Youth Quality Care for Animals (YQCA), Beef Quality Assurance  Hours: 123

This course focuses on the study of small- and large-animal science. These studies will include small animal care, safety, small animals as pets, basic anatomy, nutrient requirements, animal rights and welfare, and careers in small animal care. Students will study information about animals such as rabbits, hamsters, cats, dogs, and birds. Large animal science will explore the principles involved in large animal research, genetics, and development. These studies will include the beef, sheep, goat, horse, dairy, and swine industries. Students will study reproduction, care, and feeding for each of the listed species. Students will gain leadership skills and receive hands-on experience through field trips and related activities.

Floral Design I (11-12) (1C, E, P = Intro to AFNR and completion of 1 other mid-level Ag Course or signature from the instructor)  Certifications Offered: iCEV: Benz School of Floral Design Certification  First Priority: Grade 12 Ag Students, then Grade 11 Ag Students, then other seniors and juniors interested.  Hours: 123

Students will gain skills and learn different techniques as they pertain to designing with real and artificial plants. Students will also learn the elements of floral design, plant classification, floral tool identification, and safety in the floral design industry. This course will cover the business side of the agricultural industry as students build a Floral Design company. Students will learn the basic accounting methods needed in the agricultural world. Students will also learn the different marketing techniques used in the many agricultural commodities. Furthermore, students will be given an opportunity to design and run a business as part of this course. Students will gain leadership skills and receive hands-on experience through field trips and related activities.

Floral Design II (12) (Independent Study): (1C, E, P=Floral Design I)  Hours: 123

This course is designed for senior students who have completed the Floral Design course as a junior. Students will work independently to complete orders and strengthen their floral design skills. They will also help to set up the lab, mentor Floral Design students, check in orders, create marketing campaigns, and keep cabinets organized. 

Natural Resources (12) (½ C, E, P =Intro to AFNR, or signature from the instructor)  

First Priority: Grade 12 Ag Students, Requirement for completers of the program  Second Priority: Grade 12, other interested students who obtain permission from the instructor.  Certifications Offered: iCEV Ducks Unlimited Ecology Conservation & Management Certification  Hours: 61.5

This course will dive more deeply into natural resource management. The course will discuss the history of conservation in Pennsylvania, renewable and non-renewable resources, pollution, wildlife, ecosystems, the impact of conventional and alternative energy sources, and recycling. This course will also study elements of the PA Envirothon contest: current events, forestry, wildlife, soils, and aquatics.  Students will gain leadership skills and receive hands-on experience through field trips and related activities.

Advanced Agricultural Leadership (12) (½ C, E, P = 5 Ag Courses- must include: Intro to AFNR, 3 other mid-level Ag Courses, and Floral Design (completed or currently enrolled) Requirement for completers of the program. Hours: 61.5

This course will incorporate the activities of the FFA program.  Students will learn and master basic record keeping by completing an FFA record book on the Agricultural Experience Tracker.  Students will learn communication skills and Robert’s Rules of Order by using the FFA speech format and parliamentary procedure event.  Each student will write prepared and extemporaneous speeches on agricultural topics and present them in class. Students will cover materials for various career development events including land use management, dairy judging, and livestock judging. Students will gain leadership skills and receive hands-on experience through field trips and related activities.

Plant Science Research (12)  (Independent Study):  Prerequisite: Horticulture I, Floral Design, or Horticulture II.  Hours: 123

This course is designed for senior students who have completed a Horticulture or Floral Design Course and are looking to strengthen their Plant Science Skills. Students will work independently to maintain plants in the Tower Gardens and Farm Bot Garden. Students will design and complete research projects with the plants in this equipment. 

General Science Supervised Agricultural Experience 10 (SAE 10) (1C, E, P = Enrolled in Ag Course &  Ag Teacher/FFA Advisor signature) 

SAE 10 is a record bookkeeping class for those students who are enrolled in an agricultural science course in their sophomore year and will complete an SAE project. Each student must complete a minimum of 70 total hours in their projects for credit. This is an independent study course. Students are required to meet with the instructor at least once per month during the regular school year, once per summer if the student’s SAE continues through the summer, and have a minimum of one SAE visit with the Advisor (more than one SAE visit may be needed on a case-by-case basis and based on project complexity).  A Supervised Agricultural Experience project and record book must be maintained as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Career and Technical Education for Agriculture Education.

General Science Supervised Agricultural Experience 11 (SAE 11) (1C, E, P = Enrolled in Ag Course & Ag Teacher/FFA Advisor signature) 

SAE 11 is a record bookkeeping class for those students who are enrolled in an agricultural science course in their sophomore year and will complete an SAE project. Each student must complete a minimum of 140 total hours in their projects for credit. This is an independent study course. Students are required to meet with the instructor at least once per month during the regular school year, once per summer if the student’s SAE continues through the summer, and have a minimum of one SAE visit with the Advisor (more than one SAE visit may be needed on a case-by-case basis and based on project complexity).  A Supervised Agricultural Experience project and record book must be maintained as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Career and Technical Education for Agriculture Education.

General Science Supervised Agricultural Experience 12 (SAE 12) (1C, E, P = Enrolled in Ag Course & Ag Teacher/FFA Advisor signature)

SAE 12 is a record bookkeeping class for those students who are enrolled in an agricultural science course in their sophomore year and will complete an SAE project. Each student must complete a minimum of 140 total hours in their projects for credit. This is an independent study course. Students are required to meet with the instructor at least once per month during the regular school year, once per summer if the student’s SAE continues through the summer, and have a minimum of one SAE visit with the Advisor (more than one SAE visit may be needed on a case-by-case basis and based on project complexity).  A Supervised Agricultural Experience project and record book must be maintained as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Career and Technical Education for Agriculture Education.

Ag Mechanization Pathway:

Introduction to Agricultural Mechanics (9-12) (1C, E)  Certification Offered: National Safe Tractor Driving

This course will include an introductory study of all the areas of agricultural mechanics. It will be an exploratory course designed to give interested students a broad outlook on what agricultural mechanics entails including electricity, plumbing, construction, safety, tool identification, metal fabrication and welding, small gas engines, agribusiness, ag mechanics careers, history of ag mechanics, and leadership development. Students will gain leadership skills and receive hands-on experience through field trips and related activities.

Construction I  (10-12): (1C, E, P= Intro to Ag Science or Intro to Ag Mech)  Certification Offered: OSHA 10 Construction

Agriculture Construction offers an introductory set of skills needed for basic construction in the field. Projects vary by semester and quarter. Students will gain experience in land evaluation, surveying, layout, building foundations, architectural drawing, concrete masonry, and framing. Students will have the opportunity to fabricate small projects that build on these skills. Students will gain leadership skills and receive hands-on experience through field trips and related activities.

Construction II: (10-12): (1C, E, P= Intro to Ag Science or Intro to Ag Mech  Certification Offered: OSHA 10 Construction

Agriculture Construction offers an introductory set of skills needed for basic construction in the field. Projects vary by semester and quarter. Students will gain experience in plumbing, HVAC, electricity and wiring, landscaping, and general carpentry. Students will have the opportunity to fabricate small projects that build on these skills. Students will gain leadership skills and receive hands-on experience through field trips and related activities.

Equipment Systems 1 (10-12) (1C, E, P = Intro to Ag Science or Intro to Ag Mech)

This course is for those students planning to follow a career path in agricultural mechanics, heavy equipment operation, equipment sales or production agriculture. This course will include an in-depth look into all the moving parts of agricultural equipment involving tractors, skid steers, loaders, backhoes, combines, etc. Students will gain hands-on experience working in a group and individual settings. Students will also gain experience repairing implements and restoring old machines. Students will learn about the latest agricultural technologies as they relate to mechanics so that they are prepared for this ever-changing and expanding field. Students will gain leadership skills and receive hands-on experience through field trips and related activities.

Equipment Systems 2 (10-12) (1C, E)

This course is for those students planning to follow a career path in agricultural mechanics, heavy equipment operation, equipment sales or production agriculture. This course will focus heavily on hydraulic and pneumatic systems.  Students will gain hands-on experience working in a group and individual settings. Students will also gain experience repairing implements, designing hydraulic systems, producing new machines, and restoring old machines. Students will learn about the latest agricultural technologies as they relate to mechanics so that they are prepared for this ever-changing and expanding field. Students will gain leadership skills and receive hands-on experience through field trips and related activities.

Welding 1, 2, & 3 (10-12) (1C, E, P = Intro to Ag Science or Intro to Ag Mech)  Certification Offered: OSHA 10 Industry

Welding provides students with the opportunity to work with a variety of welding techniques in a safe atmosphere. Students will be working with the following pieces of equipment and will have basic skills in using gas and plasma cutters, SMAW, MIG, TIG, and gas and spot welding. Students will submit project plans and a budget for individual projects and class projects that will be manufactured and may be sold to the community. Students will complete training courses such as OSHA 10 and other similar training as required by this course. Students will gain employability skills for careers in the Ag Mechanics field. Other skills emphasized during the class include but are not limited to the following; customer relations, budgeting, project planning, and project plan implementation and construction. Students will gain leadership skills and receive hands-on experience through field trips and related activities.

Advanced Agricultural Mechanics (12) (1C, E,  P = 5 Ag classes including Intro to Ag Course, Welding 2, and 3 middle-level courses)  Requirement for completers of the program.

This course will incorporate activities of the FFA program as well as proper record-keeping through the use of the Agricultural Experience Tracker. Students will build upon Ag Mechanics skills learned throughout their ag courses and apply them to agricultural careers and environmental and natural resource systems. Additionally, students will build upon their business development skills by creating and maintaining business and financial records, using multi-media advertising services, developing a sales presentation, and demonstrating employability skills. Students will gain leadership skills and receive hands-on experience through field trips and related activities.

Ag Mechanics Supervised Agricultural Experience 10 (SAE 10) (1C, E, P = Current enrollment in Ag Course & Ag Teacher/FFA Advisor signature) 

SAE 10 is a record bookkeeping class for those students who are enrolled in an agricultural science course their sophomore year and will complete an SAE project. Each student must complete a minimum of 70 total hours in their projects for credit. This is an independent study course. Students are required to meet with the instructor at least once per month during the regular school year, once per summer if the student’s SAE continues through the summer, and have a minimum of one SAE visit with the Advisor (more than one SAE visit may be needed on a case-by-case basis and based on project complexity).  A Supervised Agricultural Experience project and record book must be maintained as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Career and Technical Education for Agriculture Education.

Ag Mechanics Supervised Agricultural Experience 11 (SAE 11) (1C, E, P = Current enrollment in Ag Course & Ag Teacher/FFA Advisor signature)  

SAE 11 is a record bookkeeping class for those students who are enrolled in an agricultural science course their sophomore year and will complete an SAE project. Each student must complete a minimum of 140 total hours in their projects for credit. This is an independent study course. Students are required to meet with the instructor at least once per month during the regular school year, once per summer if the student’s SAE continues through the summer, and have a minimum of one SAE visit with the Advisor (more than one SAE visit may be needed on a case-by-case basis and based on project complexity).  A Supervised Agricultural Experience project and record book must be maintained as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Career and Technical Education for Agriculture Education.

Ag Mechanics Supervised Agricultural Experience 12 (SAE 12) (1C, E, P = Current enrollment in Ag Course & Ag Teacher/FFA Advisor signature)  

SAE 12 is a record bookkeeping class for those students who are enrolled in an agricultural science course their sophomore year and will complete an SAE project. Each student must complete a minimum of 140 total hours in their projects for credit. This is an independent study course. Students are required to meet with the instructor at least once per month during the regular school year, once per summer if the student’s SAE continues through the summer, and have a minimum of one SAE visit with the Advisor (more than one SAE visit may be needed on a case-by-case basis and based on project complexity).  A Supervised Agricultural Experience project and record book must be maintained as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Career and Technical Education for Agriculture Education.