AGRICULTURAL/AGRISCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Introduction to Agricultural/Agri-science Course Offerings: Agriculture/Agri-science education at Baldwin-Woodville High School is available to all students who have an interest in animals, plants, and the environment. Agriculture is America’s largest and most basic industry. Of the more than 100 million people in the United States labor force; about 22 million are employed in agricultural-related occupations. Today’s agriculture has more than 200 rewarding and challenging careers in fields related to agribusiness, agricultural producing, processing and distribution, agri-science, animal technology, plant science, agricultural engineering, environmental conservation, and biotechnology. Students enrolled in agricultural/agri-science education courses are encouraged to become members of the FFA Organization to develop leadership, communication and cooperation skills.
BROAD GOALS:
GOAL 1 To develop an understanding of and appreciation for career opportunities in agriculture.
GOAL 2 To develop agricultural competencies needed by individuals engaged in or preparing to engage in agriculture/agribusiness occupations.
GOAL 3 To develop the ability and skills needed to exercise and follow effective leadership in fulfilling occupational, social, and civic responsibilities.
GOAL 4 To develop human relation skills which are essential in agriculture/agribusiness occupations.
GOAL 5 To develop a quality learning process through learning by doing, excellence in the classroom, laboratory examples, supervised occupational experiences, and student organizations.
GOAL 6 To develop the values and behaviors of a steward of the environment.
GOAL 7 To develop technical skills which are essential in agriculture/agribusiness.

801 EXPLORING AGRICULTURE - Semester Grades 9-12
Exploring agriculture is a one semester course that is geared toward freshmen and sophomores who are just beginning their explorations of agriculture; however, juniors and seniors will be allowed to enroll. This course will cover a wide variety of agricultural topics, especially those that have a close association with St. Croix County. Students will learn about cutting edge agricultural technologies in the areas of biotechnology, conservation, aquaculture, food science, and many others. Traditional production agricultural topics will be discussed as well as an introduction to the FFA. This class will be very hands-on and it will consist of many short, yet intense, units of instruction that utilize the greenhouse and the aquaculture tank.


802 FISHERIES ECOLOGY – Semester Grades 9-12
This course deals with the basic concepts of fish and fish management. Topics include career opportunities, history of fish management; fish species; lake, stream, and river management; lake, stream, history of aquaculture, aquatic plant and animal species, and river habitats; water quality; and marketing of fish products.

803 FORESTRY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE – Semester Grades 9-12
Forestry management, exploring environmental issues, and awareness are the main focus of this course. There are millions of acres of forestland in Wisconsin that are important to our economy. You will be able to explore tree identification, planting, forest fires and protection, forestry products, logging, and forest enemies. Environmental concepts explored include human population, energy use, ecology, land use, biodiversity, deforestation, and society and the environment. Guest speakers and field trips may also be included in this class.

804 OUTDOOR RECREATION/NATURAL RESOURCES – Semester Grades 10-12
This outdoor life course is designed for those students who are interested in increasing their understanding of and appreciation for outdoor life, recreation, and natural resources. Outdoor recreation is a major natural resource, which includes boating, fishing, hunting, archery, snowmobiling, and water sports. These topics will include discussion of safety and informational data. Camping, first aid, state and federal forests and parks are also discussed. Natural resource units will include recycling, soil and water management and conservation. Hands-on activities include developing compost columns, planting trees, home water testing, and lake study projects. Field trips and speakers will be utilized in this class.

805 WILDLIFE ECOLOGY – Semester Grades 10-12
This course deals with wildlife ecology and its management. Wildlife is a valuable resource in Wisconsin that varies in species and habitat throughout the state. Topics included will be career opportunities, history of wildlife ecology, and management of big game in Wisconsin, species identification, population management, carrying capacity, trophy management, measuring and recording. Guest speakers, a taxidermy unit, and a field trip will highlight the class.

806 ANIMAL/VETERINARY SCIENCE – Semester Grades 10-12
This class is designed for the person interested in animals. Students will have the opportunity to work and experiment with animals by giving injections, learn how to suture wounds, do animal blood work-ups, learn about animal restraint, and radiology. Students will develop a basic understanding of animal nutrition, genetics, reproduction, and health. Also students will have the opportunity to learn the science of biology, anatomy, and physiology dealing with agriculture animals. Guest speakers, demonstration field trips, and lab experiments are also a part of this course. (This class is approved for advanced standing for WITC if student receives a grade of B or better.)

807 FOOD SCIENCE – Semester Grades 10-12
This course covers the processing of products in the vegetable, dairy, and meat industries. The class will focus on the production of food, labeling, and consumer education. We will discuss the very controversial issues of food safety at home and restaurants, and the regulations that keep our food safe to eat. We will analyze food processing and microbiology as a complex science that changes raw products into the many choices we have on the market today. Students will have the opportunity to make cheese, ice cream, beef jerky and brats, just to name a few of the products that will be made in class, and field trips will also be utilized.

808 CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF RECREATIONAL ANIMALS – Semester Grades 10-12
Small animals are special creatures, whether they are a dog, cat, rabbit, or any of a dozen other companion animals that people adopt and promise to care for and love. This class is designed to explore the world of these lovable creatures. People with special knowledge and skill in working with small animals are in constant need and the employment opportunities are wide open. This class is designed to be a pre-veterinarian, or a pretechnician course, studying the care and management involved with many of the small animals of our area.

809 HORTICULTURE I - SEMESTER 1 Grades 10-12
One of the most rapid growth areas in the field of agriculture is that of horticulture. Horticulture is a course designed to provide the student with a basic knowledge in the cultivation, processing, and sales of fruits, nuts, vegetables, ornamental plants and flowers. As an industry, it contributes over 50 billion dollars to the United States economy every year. This newfound interest in horticulture is due in large part to an increasing awareness on the part of the general public, as people look inward at a need to be closer to nature, and as they discover the beauty and satisfaction plants provide for them. The student will have an opportunity to conduct scientific experimentation in plant propagation methods using our greenhouse.

810 HORTICULTURE II – SEMESTER 2 Grades 11-12
PREREQUISITE: Horticulture I This is an advanced horticulture class designed to further the student’s knowledge in the big, fascinating world of horticulture. Students will study in more detail the operation and complete system of a modern greenhouse. Students will also explore in great detail various greenhouse production crops like Poinsettias, Easter Lilies and Chrysanthemums. Students will have the opportunity to explore and develop a marketing unit related to horticulture projects. Marketing and selling poinsettias is one of the class projects for the semester. Field trips to area horticulture businesses and greenhouses may be included in this class.

811 GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT – Semester Grades 10-12
PREREQUISITE: Horticulture or Instructor Approval This course will cover opportunities in greenhouse-related careers, identifying flower varieties, the study of topiary art, bedding plat production and development of floral arrangements. Projects include working with elementary students and floral design projects in addition to running the school’s 500 square foot greenhouse. This class will also do some construction of arbors that can be installed in the landscape and allow different types of perennials to grow up and over the arbor.

812 LANDSCAPE DESIGN I – SEMESTER 1 Grades 10-12
PREREQUISITE: Horticulture or Instructor Approval
The landscapes of the nation are rich and diverse. They include unspoiled natural regions, recreation areas, suburban neighborhoods, and intensely developed cityscapes. The individual who pursues a career in landscaping must be trained to meet the challenge of satisfying the needs of the people without harm to others or the environment. The response to that challenge will be taught to the students as they are directed to an understanding of what constitutes a high quality landscape in harmony with its surroundings. The students will also have the opportunity to study the principles of good landscape design and then produce a working landscape model based on their own creativity.

813 LANDSCAPE DESIGN II – SEMESTER 2 Grades 11-12
PREREQUISITE: Horticulture, Landscape Design I or Instructor Approval Students will deal with in-depth evaluation of landscape and how to change a current landscape or establish a new one. The use of turf grasses and their application will be explored. The students will evaluate current landscapes and develop a new landscape plan.

814 AQUACULTURE – Semester Grades 11-12
Aquaculture is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in agriculture. During this unit you will study salt and fresh water fish management, the fish industry, and the sport of fishing. The agri-science department is involved in raising tilapia and goldfish, using 200, 55, 30 and 10-gallon aquariums. We will be involved in spawning, feeding trials, and water quality testing. A tour of a local fish hatchery/farm may also be included in this course, as well as tours of current aquaculture industries.

815 AG-CONSTRUCTION – Semester Grades 11-12
This semester will deal with agriculture products that can be manufactured from wood. This class will deal with how trees are harvested, identification of wood, and bill of materials list, calculating board feet and reading and drawing of plans. The students will also study the many different types of fasteners and discuss the need for safety at all times when in the laboratory. This class will have a mixture of classroom and shop activities. (This class is approved for advanced standing for WITC if student receives a grade of B or better.)

816 EQUINE SCIENCE – Semester Grades 10-12
The horse is such an important animal to millions of Americans. This course is designed to explore the world of the horse. The student will learn to appreciate and understand why the horse is more popular today than years ago when the hors was the primary means of labor and transportation. Units that will be covered are history and development, feeding, breeding, health, breeds, classes, horse behavior, horsemanship and management. Students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with these magnificent animals.

817 HORSEMANSHIP – Semester Grades 11-12
Humans have been fascinated by the behavior of animals for as long as they have existed on earth. Their relationship with the horse has evolved into a special bond that has no equal with other domesticated animals. This class is designed to explore that new science of animal behavior, of understanding how horses react, why they do what they do. The students may have an opportunity to work one on one with a foal or a yearling. Their charge will be to learn and understand its psychology, and to then train it using natural horsemanship methods.

818 COMPUTERIZED BUSINESS MANAGEMENT – Semester Grades 11-12
Farming is no longer just a family operation; it’s actually a big business. It is imperative to become a skilled businessperson and manager. With that statement in mind, this course will utilize the computer to develop your management skills and decisions. With the computer as your primary text, the following units will be covered: computer applications, record keeping, financial analysis, budget analysis, cost analysis, cash flow analysis, marketing, investment analysis, taxes, business organizations and agriculture law. It is the intent of the instructor to help our business manager to become knowledgeable in the above areas so they can be very successful, as we move into the millennium.

819 FARM POWER & MACHINERY REPAIR - Semester Grades 11-12
The intent of this course will be to examine what can be done from a preventative maintenance standpoint. This course will examine purposes of maintenance, intervals of maintenance, engine systems, power trains, trouble-shooting, steering and brake, and accessories. This course will also cover the basics of hydraulics. The second part of this semester will deal with farm machinery repair and adjustments. In this class basic welding and oxy-acetylene skills in the Ag shop will also be taught. This semester course will have classroom instruction as well as working in the agriculture shop. Mechanical safety will be emphasized throughout the course. (This class is approved for advanced standing at WITC if the student receives a grade of B or better.)

820 BIOTECHNOLOGY – Semester Grades 11-12 PREREQUISITE: Biology
This class is designed to introduce students to the biotechnology revolution. Students will gain an understanding of genetic engineering, animal and plant tissue cultures, electrophoresis, related biotechnology careers and biotechnology’s relationship to bacteria and the environment. In addition, students will explore immunology, reproductive biotechnology and biotechnology ethics. Learning will focus around hands on activities with at least one lab unit including the modern implementation of embryo transfer techniques and carrot calluses. This course is designed for students who wish to broaden their science background with experience in “real life” situations.

822 INDEPENDENT STUDIES – Semester Grades 12
This class is for students who desire a more in-depth study of specific areas in this department. Areas of study may include computers in agribusiness, greenhouse management, aquaculture, animal production, floral design, hydroponics, landscaping, gardening, or fruit production. Students and instructor work together in designing an individual project for the student. You must have permission from the instructor and a project in mind BEFORE signing up for the class and you must have 2.5 credits of agricultural/agri-science classes prior to taking this class. Objective: The student will be able to work independently; will be able to conduct research in the IMC, public libraries and the communities; will acquire knowledge and skill in an area of study the student is interested in; and will be evaluated through written reports and projects.