AGRICULTURE

Introduction:  All Agriculture classes combine both training for today's jobs as well as preparation for continued college education.  A 'learn-by-doing' approach to school gives students hands-on learning by participating in traditional classroom, outdoor laboratory, and community activities.  The over two-acre facility includes vegetable/flower gardens, landscape display, commercial greenhouses, retail landscape plant nursery, retail flower shop, domestic animal grooming shop, and livestock production areas.  Products produced are sold to students, staff and community thus giving real-life business experiences.  Students are also engaged in off-campus occupational experiences in preparation for their life's work.  The nationally recognized FFA chapter (see their website http://www.ffa.santacruz.k12.ca.us/) gives students actual experiences in leadership, public speaking, planning activities, working with others, and accomplishing self-imposed and group goals.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:

�   All Ag course credit may be used to meet District graduation requirements for either SCIENCE (both life and physical) or APPLIED ARTS.  Floral students may use credits for FINE ART requirement.  ECONOMICS credit is also available by completing two years of Ag. (must include marketing taught in advanced class) and by demonstrating successful development and expansion of their Occupational Experience program.
�    Biology, Chemistry and Economics courses are recommended for all Ag students.

Attention:  COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS:  A survey by Purdue University indicated that college students that have experienced vocational classes, especially agriculture programs, graduate from universities with higher grade point averages and in a shorter time than the general college prep high school student. The success of vocational students seemed to stem from having a clearer focus and stronger goals for the future.  Another advantage to consider is that real-life skills learned now will qualify you for more professional level jobs at higher rates of pay for part-time work needed to help pay college expenses.

EXPLORING AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

   Grade       Duration        Credits       Repeat Status
   9-10-11         Year            5/5               No

Fulfills requirements: Life Science, Physical Science, Applied Arts for Soquel High School

Prerequisite: Fall-None, Spring-None (Fall preferred)

Course Description:  Agriculture isn�t just farming.  This year long course is designed to introduce students to the world of agricultural science and technology.  Not only will they learn the key role agriculture plays in life but will gain valuable skills and experiences that will aid them along any career path.  The class focuses on the plant and animal sciences through practical and scientific methods.  Students have the opportunity to experience agricultural science first hand and develop laboratory and management skills by raising plants and animals. Class emphasizes development of leadership, communication and managerial skills, as well as work experience through participation in the National FFA organization.

FLORAL DESIGN (ROP)

   Grade       Duration             Credits             Repeat Status
  10-11-12    Year              10/10 variable      Yes - in another concentration

   
(16 years of age or older)            with Ag Occupations

Fulfills requirements:  Life or Physical Science, Fine or Applied Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, see a-g list

Prerequisite:  None � Exploring Ag Sci & Tech preferred  

     
Co-requisite:  Agribusiness Occupations � see description below.

Course Description:  This class combines both traditional classroom activities and �on-the-job� real-life experiences. The classroom portion is designed to acquaint the student with theories and principles of artistic design and allow the student to apply an artistic approach to floral design. Students will acquire practical skills and knowledge by exploring the history of floral art and applying elements and principles of design through use of floral art media.  Floral arrangements will include:  traditional & modern arrangement styles, seasonal, holiday and occasional designs.  Students will achieve this through creating, designing, identifying, explaining and evaluating all topics of study.  Balance, symmetry, harmony, unity and texture using floral and synthetic media, will be stressed in this course.  Curriculum includes problem solving, creative thinking, written and verbal communication skills.  As the seasons change, students will develop many artistic, technical, and retail marketing skills through their work in the student operated on-campus flower shop.

ENVIRONMENTAL HORTICULTURE (ROP)

    Grade       Duration             Credits             Repeat Status
  10-11-12    Year               10/10 variable       Yes - in another concentration
 
     (16 years of age or older)        with Ag Occupations

Fulfills requirements:  Life or Physical Science, Applied Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, see a-g list
Prerequisite:  None � Exploring Ag Sci & Tech preferred

Co-requisite:  Agribusiness Occupations � see description below.

Course Description:  This class combines both traditional classroom activities and �on-the-job� real-life experiences.  The classroom portion is designed to acquaint the student with theories and principles of plant biology in conjunction with hands-on practical application in production and maintenance of plants for ornamental purposes. Topics include plant growth needs, botanical classification, plant physiology, plant reproduction, plant diseases and pests, planting medias, management practices, selection & care of plants, and careers in Ornamental Horticulture. Laboratory activities focus on the effective utilization of the school site landscape plant nursery and commercial greenhouses. Curriculum will include problem solving, creative thinking, written, visual, and verbal communication skills.

VETERINARY SCIENCE (ROP)

    Grade       Duration             Credits          Repeat Status
10-11-12    Year       10/10 variable       Yes - in another concentration    
(16 years of age or older)            with Ag Occupations

Fulfills requirements:  Life or Physical Science, Applied Arts for SHS; for UC/CSU, see a-g list
Prerequisite:  None � Exploring Ag Sci & Tech preferred        
Co-requisite:  Agribusiness Occupations � see description below.
Course Description:  This class combines both traditional classroom activities and �on-the-job� real-life experiences.  The classroom portion provides a study of common health care of both small and large animals.  Course work will include anatomy and physiology of domestic animals & livestock, nutrition, parasites, diseases - their causes and means of prevention.  Guest lecturers, veterinarians, animal health technicians and other industry individuals will provide additional knowledge of current practices that are implemented in today�s animal health fields. Laboratory activities focus on practical experience in veterinary medicine and animal care by conducting hands on activities with both small and large animals.  Participation in the student operated domestic animal grooming shop offers essential safety training for handling animals while also providing skills needed for immediate employment opportunities in the animal care industry.

AGRIBUSINESS OCCUPATIONS (ROP)

  Grade        Duration            Credits           Repeat Status
10-11-12       Year                5/5 variable           Yes

(16 years of age or older)    
        
Fulfills requirements:  Applied Arts for Soquel High School
Co-Requisite:  Concurrent enrollment in Advance ROP Agriculture class � see descriptions above.
Course Description:  Experience is the key to future job success.  It helps you get the job of your choice upon graduation, or it can be the basis for selecting an appropriate college for professional career preparation. While still in school, you will develop real-life experiences that give you an edge for success in today�s competitive world. You will practice and perfect things learned while enrolled in your advance ROP agriculture class.  All projects are unique to your interests and desires. Practical job experience may be gained by working for others or you may even start your own business.  You will practice making decisions, develop responsibility, keep business records, and manage both your time and money.  Your self-esteem will improve by conquering personal challenges through mastery of problems encountered.  Today's small accomplishments will lead to tomorrow's greater success.
    
SPECIAL STUDIES IN AGRICULTURE

   Grade      Duration         Credits      Repeat Status
    11-12      Year              5/5         Yes-teacher perm.

Fulfills Requirements:  Life or Physical Science, Applied Arts for Soquel High School

Prerequisite: Completion of Adv. Ag. And instructor permission

Course Description:  You will meet with the instructor before registration to select the project and complete the contract.  Items to be included will be the goals and objectives, methods of execution, evaluation criteria, and any other information necessary to specify the project and help insure its success.  This is a chance for you to conduct independent research and study with the assistance of the instructor and the use of the Agriculture Department's facilities.