Agriculture
All potential course offerings in the subject of Agriculture are listed alphabetically below. Please Note: In any given year, whether a course is offered depends on the number of requests received for that course.
AGRIBUSINESS ‐ WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE | Credits: 1 | Terms: 2 | Course #: 182480
Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisites: Intro to Agriculture and FFA membership
Description: This course is designed for juniors and seniors to complete a supervised practical experience in the agricultural industry only. It consists of onsite observation and training in an agribusiness specific to the agricultural area of study of that student. The class will aid in confirming current educational and career goals and in obtaining hands-on experience. The student will be responsible for keeping a record book of daily site activities and expenses. Student must be able to document a minimum of 60 on-site hours and schedule a minimum of one on-site instructor visit per semester. Daily sign-in with instructor is required before leaving campus for site experience.
AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT | Credits: 1 | Terms: 2 | Course #: 182010
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture and Natural Resources and FFA membership
Description: This course covers the basic concepts of starting your own business related to agriculture. Students will create a business plan, research business concerns, learn about basic financial planning and analysis, sources of funding, how to apply for funding, and setting up and marketing a business. Businesses studied included tack shops, feed stores, raising rodeo bulls, raising and training horses, starting a florist shop, and raising exotic fish (Japanese Koi). Students are encouraged to be both creative and rigorous in designing their business and analyzing profitability. Students will acquire skills applicable in any entrepreneurial venture.
AGRICULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 182020
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture and Natural Resources FFA membership
Description: This course emphasizes basic economic concepts, basic financial concepts, and functions of business, business technology, and career preparation. Students will be exposed to various aspects of the agribusiness world. Such topics to be discussed are: marketing, management, economics, accounting, finance, business law, and entrepreneurship. Students will also be exposed to various careers in agribusiness. Furthermore, students are introduced to the steps and research necessary to create their own business. Projects include preparing a Business Plan, business cards, and making a Power Point presentation of their business to community members. Students will also serve as the development and management of the on‐going and developing school based enterprises in the agricultural education program.
AGRICULTURAL LEADERSHIP | Credits: 1 | Terms: 2 | Course #: 182030
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Instructor Approval and FFA membership
Description: Students in this class provide leadership and are responsible for the implementation of the FFA plan of activities, as well as the business administration and management of the DHS school farm. Students enrolled in this course will receive credit based on their work outside of school hours to accomplish FFA plan of activities and to provide care and maintenance of the school farm, and its related enterprises. Students will maintain a record book where they maintain a record of their time before school, after school and on weekends. Their record books will document their work to plan and implement FFA service project (2 per semester), FFA activities and travel plans (3‐4 per semester.) Students will also complete daily maintenance activities related to the school chickens, rabbits, attached and independent greenhouses, and garden plots. In addition these students will advise business decisions and manage the finances of the FFA Chapter with the supervision of the Teacher/ Advisor.
AQUATIC SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 183061
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture and Natural Resources
Description: Areas of training in this class involve the care of fish and aquatic plant life, which is a developing industry worldwide. The history of aquaculture and how it pertains to the world will be studies. Aquaculture anatomy and physiology will also be studied. This class will cover aquaculture disease and parasites as well as fish biology and reproduction. Marketing of aqua cultural products will be explored. Knowledge and skills gained in this class will provide opportunities for advanced study at the college level or entry level employment in fisheries, water quality, and care of natural streams and lakes.
FOREST & FIRE ECOLOGY | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 185041
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture and Natural Resources
Description: Forest & Fire Ecology is tailored to students interested in careers in forestry or fire science. It is an introduction to forest ecology, forest management, forest health, watersheds and wildfire behavior. Students will use the Project Learning Tree and National Fire Sciences Lab curriculum.
GENERAL HORTICULTURE | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 180520
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture and Natural Resources
Description: Students will study plant life, including wild, garden, and greenhouse varieties. They will have the chance to see exotic and aquatic species in the school greenhouse, visit local greenhouses and gardens, and set up plant growing projects themselves. They will also study garden design, landscape design including water structures such as ponds and waterfalls, and explore careers in horticulture. Floral design including both dried and living arrangements will be included. The applications of modern scientific knowledge to plant culture will be discussed.
GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 180520
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture and Natural Resources
This is the first semester of a year-long course to give sophomore, junior and senior students practical knowledge of the biology of plants. Areas covered include plant and soil science, plant cells, physiology, growth, reproduction, genetics, environmental factors, soils, soil management, and plant science technology. Students will also be involved in the FFA and maintain a Supervised Agriculture Experience program. Focus of this class is for students interested in working in an agriculture field; it will also be an opportunity for students who are interested in pursuing a college degree in agronomy, soil science, and environmental science. For credit, students must enroll in Landscape Design during semester two.
INTRO TO AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES | Credits: 1 | Terms: 2 | Course #: 180010
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: None
Description: Students will begin to establish a career path for high school and beyond. They will develop an individualized Supervised Agriculture Experience Program (SAEP) and be introduced to FFA, a co-curricular agricultural student leadership organization. Animal Science, Ag Business, parliamentary procedure, FFA, landscaping techniques, record keeping, public speaking skills, leadership qualities and career opportunities will be explored. Students will have the opportunity to start a record book enabling them to earn their FFA Greenhand Degree - SAEs may consist of livestock to show at the county fair, production agriculture or agriculturally related jobs. All information can be used in developing and presenting the FFA or SAE Career Portfolio.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 180541
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Greenhouse Management
Description: This course is to be taken after Greenhouse Management on the Plant Science pathway. It is designed to introduce students to the opportunities in the landscape industry. Students will be exposed to the design aspect of landscaping and preparing their own landscape design. Students will also be exposed to various types of landscape construction and maintenance, nursery operation and landscape management practices, which will prepare them to select appropriate plant materials and to design, install and maintain interior and exterior plantings and hardscapes. Equipment and facilities maintenance is also covered and students will be involved in preparing and installing their own irrigation system. Finally, students might be given the opportunity to do an internship with a local landscape company in Durango. Throughout, the focus will be on the many careers in the landscape industry. Since this class is part of a complete agriculture program, students enrolled in the course are also members of FFA and have the opportunity for a supervised agricultural experience (SAE).
PLANT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | Credits: 1 | Terms: 2 | Course #: 180521
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture and Natural Resources
Description: This year long course introduces students to the principles of plant science as it relates to horticulture. It emphasizes the application of plant sciences to the propagation, improvement, culture, and utilization of horticultural plants. This course will introduce the area of ornamental horticulture and landscape technology. Through FFA membership students will expand their knowledge about life skills, including the promotion of cooperative attitudes among all people and of healthy life styles. By learning how to run an efficient meeting, students will also increase their ability to communicate effectively. Students will further develop their entrepreneurial skills through their Supervised Agricultural Experience.
VETERINARY SCIENCE | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 181050
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture and Natural Resources
Description: This course is designed for students who are considering a career involving Veterinary Medicine, such as a veterinarian, veterinary technician, or any other type of animal care professional. Anatomy, physiology and medicine for dogs, cats, horses, farm animals, and exotics such as tropical birds and some zoo animals will be studied. The textbook includes many real life case studies which is the basis for this course.
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT | Credits: 0.5 | Terms: 1 | Course #: 185010
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture and Natural Resources
This course discusses the biology and relationships among species of wild animals. We will study both Colorado game and exotic game systems. We will learn to identify different species, understand their place in their ecosystem, and apply that knowledge to game and population managements. Discussion will also include hunting and fishing regulations, water and water pollution, and career options in wildlife and natural resource management.