1. Osmond Community Schools Board of Education Agricultural Education and FFA Chapter Proposal 3/9/2015

2. Objectives of Tonight O Clarify what we want and why we want it O Determine what opportunities an Agricultural Education program at Osmond Community Schools could open up O Provide you with a sample outline of a possible four-year curriculum in Agricultural Education

3. What is Agricultural Education? O Agricultural Education is designed to provide students with competencies to make them aware of and prepared for the world of work. O Agriculture is a dynamic, rapidly changing industry that has an exciting future. O The primary thrust of the program will be to provide students with the knowledge they need to prepare for employment in agricultural occupations requiring less than a baccalaureate degree.

4. How is this accomplished? O Agricultural Education is composed of three distinct, yet interrelated components. FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Classroom Instruction and Labs Ag. Education

5. Classroom and Labs O In the classroom, students will learn concepts and theories dealing with a broad spectrum of agricultural and agribusiness topics. O In the lab, students are taught “hands-on” skills that ensure that the skills learned are practical and usable in real-life situations.

6. SAE O The SAE component of Agricultural Education requires students to work and learn in real-life situations where they obtain on-the-job skills. O SAEs can vary from the traditional home projects to entrepreneurship or cooperative work experience in production or agribusiness.

7. FFA O The implementation of an FFA chapter allows students the opportunity to develop leadership skills through public speaking, parliamentary procedure teams, and various other leadership skill events (LSE). O The implementation of an FFA chapter also allows students the opportunity to develop their career skills through its career development competitions known as CDEs. O FFA provides incentives for improved student performance and growth through its rewards program.

8. What benefit will this provide our students? O Employability skills students can transfer from the classroom to their careers. O Life knowledge and all the soft skills that employers seek. O Instruction that will engage students in the globalization of agriculture as the solution for environmental demands, food safety, technology, natural resource protection, and urbanization. O Creation of future entrepreneurs. O Opportunities for students to engage in service-learning in real world situations. O Character development. O SAE projects provide real-life training in money management, budgeting, and maintaining financial records.

9. Career Opportunities for Students O Game Warden O Garden Center Manager O Geneticists O Golf Course Manager O Greenhouse Manager O Greenskeeper O Grounds Manager O Horse Trainer O Horticultural Scientist O Hunting and Fishing Guide O Irrigation Specialists O Lab Technician O Landscape Architect O Lawn Care Specialist O Livestock Broker O Meat Processor O Organic Farmer O Park Ranger O Pet Care Worker O Agricultural Accountant O Agribusiness Manager O Ag Engineer O Ag Education Teacher O Ag Sales Representative O Animal Trainer O Forest Ranger O Florist O Fish Hatchery Manager O Fertilizer Sales Rep. O Farm Supply Store Operator

10. Possible Four-Year Curriculum O Year 1 – Agriscience (Introduction to Ag) O Year 2 – Plant Science / Horticulture O Year 3 – Animal Science O Year 4 – Agribusiness

11. Agriscience O This course is designed to be a comprehensive overview of the agricultural industry and the industry-based sciences. Topics to be discussed in this course include natural resources, integrated pest management, plant sciences, animal sciences, food science, and communication and management, this introductory course lays the foundation for all of your future studies in agricultural education.

12. Plant Science / Horticulture O This course covers topics such as plant cells, growth reproduction and genetics, plant identification and classification, soil composition and management, plants as crops, plant pests, agronomy, and environmental factors. Students will take part in hands on plant identification labs as well as land and soil judging. O This course covers the relationship between horticulture and the environment, plant propagation, media, nutrients and fertilizers, plant growth regulators, post harvest physiology and pest management, greenhouse structures, as well as nursery site selection, development, and facilities. It will also cover producing nursery crops and floral design.

13. Questions? O Thank you for your time!