Skip to main content

Hoosier Hills Career Center

Monroe County Community School Corporation

Agriculture

2026-2027 Agriculture Courses

 

PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND NATURAL RESOURCES (71171C)

  • All agriculture students must start with the course!
  • Introduces the concepts of agriculture in the U.S. and Indiana while looking at animal science, plant science, agribusiness, and agriscience
  • Required before any other agriculture course
  • Can be taken at the same time as another agriculture course if you are 10th-12th grade
  • 2 Dual Credits from IvyTech (AGRI 100 & AGRI 102)

ANIMAL SCIENCE (50081C)

  • Introduces areas of animal care and production including anatomy, physiology, biosecurity, nutrition, reproduction, human safety, careers and leadership
  • Pre-requisite: Principles of AFNR
  • 1 Dual Credits from IvyTech (AGRI 103)

FORESTRY & WILDLIFE (72701C)

  • Students will explore concepts related to environmental and ecological impacts, forestry management, timber harvesting, tree production, and wood utilization, as well as environmental issues and career exploration.
  • Pre-requisite: Principles of AFNR
  • No dual credits

HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE (51321C)

  • Coursework includes hands-on activities that encourage students to investigate areas of horticulture as it relates to the biology and technology involved in the production, processing, and marketing of horticultural plants and products. The course culminates with the Spring Plant Sale. 
  • Pre-requisite: Principles of AFNR
  • 2 Dual Credits from IvyTech (AGRI 116 & AGRI 117)

GREENHOUSE AND SOILLESS MANAGEMENT (71141C)

  • The course will focus on discussing different types of enclosed structures, management systems, and growing systems used to produce plants and food. The course culminates with the Spring Plant Sale.
  • Pre-requisite: Principles of AFNR; Suggested that Horticulture is completed 
  • 2 Dual Credits from IvyTech (AGRI 129 & AGRI 175)

AGRICULTURE POWER, STRUCTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY (50881C)

  • Students develop skills in welding and metalworking, construction, fabrication, machine components and design while incorporating the engineering design process.
  • Pre-requisite: Principles of AFNR
  • 1 Dual Credits from IvyTech (AGRI 106)

AGRICULTURE STRUCTURES FABRICATION AND DESIGN (71121C)

  • Students develop an understanding of basic principles of tool selection, operation, maintenance, and management of agricultural equipment in concert with the utilization of technology.
  • Pre-requisite: Principles of AFNR
  • No dual credit  

CTSO LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN ACTION (5237)

  • Offered as independent study for FFA Officers
  • May be possible for seniors as a block class - talk with Mrs. Frew

AGRICULTURAL CAPSTONE (7262 OR 7238)

  • Offered for Juniors and Seniors only who have already completed or are currently completing an agriculture pathway
  • Independent study at a community placement - must have at least 2 blocks, may be up to 4 blocks
  • PM preferred

SUMMER SAE (5228)

  • Offered for summer credit only
  • Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is designed to provide students with opportunities to
    gain experience in the agriculture field(s) in which they are interested. Students will
    experience and apply what is learned in the classroom, laboratory and training site to real-life
    situations with a standards-based plan for learning.

 

IVYTECH CERTIFICATES: 

  • Agribusiness Management (Principles, Ag Power, Natural Resources)
  • Animal Agribusiness (Principles, Animal Science, ALS: Animals)

 

Agriculture Pathways

For all agriculture pathways, students must begin with Principles of AFNR. Capstone courses may not be taken until the rest of the pathway is completed or scheduled to be completed in the same year. 

Agri-Science - Animals

  1. Principles of AFNR
  2. Animal Science
  3. ALS: Animals
  4. Agricultural Research or Agribusiness Capstone (Optional)

Horticulture

  1. Principles of AFNR
  2. Horticulture
  3. Greenhouse and Soilless Management
  4. Horticulture Capstone (Optional)

Natural Resources

  1. Principles of AFNR
  2. Natural Resources
  3. Forestry & Wildlife Management
  4. Agricultural Research or Agribusiness Capstone (Optional)

Ag Mechanical and Engineering

  1. Principles of AFNR
  2. Agriculture Power, Structures and Technology
  3. Agriculture Structures and Fabrication and Design
  4. Agricultural Mechanization and Technology Capstone

Course Plan for 2027-2028 (subject to change)

Principles of AFNR

Animal Science

ALS: Animals

Natural Resources

Horticulture

Agriculture Power, Structure, and Technology

Agriculture Structures Fabrication and Design

Agriculture Capstone

Course Descriptions

Principles of Agriculture provides students with an overview of careers in the agricultural science and business industries. Students will learn about agricultural literacy, basic agribusiness skills, and develop leadership skills while learning about several areas of agriculture. Animal science, agribusiness, plant and soil science, food science, and horticulture topics are all covered during this course. Students learn everything they need to know to join FFA if they desire and compete in local, state, and national events.

 

In Animal Science students participate in a large variety of activities and laboratory work including real and simulated animal science experiences and projects. All areas that the students study may be applied to both large and small animals. Topics to be covered in the course include: history and trends in animal agriculture, laws and practices relating to animal agriculture, comparative anatomy and physiology of animals, biosecurity threats and interventions relating to animal and human safety, nutrition, reproduction, careers, leadership, and supervised agriculture experiences relating to animal agriculture.

 

In Advance Life Science: Animals students take a deeper dive into Animal Science topics related to anatomy, nutrition, and disease pathology. Students continue to participate in lab activities that are hands-on in nature and focus on students practicing and proving the information they learn. ALS:Animals students are invited to participate in the AgriScience Fair and compete in several animal related FFA competitions.

 

Horticulture Science is a two semester course that provides students with a background in the field of horticulture. Coursework includes hands-on activities that encourage students to investigate areas of horticulture as it relates to the biology and technology involved in the production, processing, and marketing of horticultural plants and products. Students are introduced to the following areas of horticulture science: reproduction and propagation of plants, plant growth, growth-media, management practices for field and greenhouse production, marketing concepts, production of plants of local interest, greenhouse management, floral design, and pest management. Students participate in a variety of activities including extensive laboratory work usually in a school greenhouse.

 

Greenhouse and Soilless Production is a two-semester course that provides an overview of structural designs and uses of enclosed structures (greenhouses) to grow various plants and food. The course will focus on discussing different types of enclosed structures, management systems, and growing systems used to produce plants and food. The course will also present an overview of soilless growing systems such as hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics and fogponics. Students will utilize the school greenhouse as part of this course.

 

Natural Resources is a two semester course that provides students with a background in environmental science and conservation. Course work includes hands-on learning activities that encourage students to investigate areas of environmental concern. Students are introduced to the following areas of natural resources: soils, the water cycle, air quality, outdoor recreation, forestry, minerals, interrelationships between humans and natural systems, wetlands, wildlife, safety, careers, leadership, and supervised agricultural experience programs.

 

Forestry and Wildlife Management is a two semester course that provides students with opportunities to participate in a variety of activities including laboratory work. Students will explore concepts related to environmental and ecological impacts, forestry management, timber harvesting, tree production, and wood utilization, as well as environmental issues and career exploration.

 

Agriculture Power, Structure and Technology is a two semester, lab intensive course in which students develop an understanding of basic principles of tool selection, operation, maintenance, and management of agricultural equipment in concert with the utilization of technology. Topics covered include: safety, problem-solving/troubleshooting, electricity, plumbing, concrete, carpentry, metal technology, engines, emerging technologies, leadership development, supervised agricultural experience, and career opportunities in the area of agriculture power, structure, and technology.

 

Agricultural Structures Fabrication and Design is a two-semester course that focuses on metal work, and agricultural structures. This course will allow students to develop skills in welding and metalworking, construction, fabrication, machine components and design while incorporating the engineering design process. Students will also cover safety topics for each area while demonstrating appropriate health and safety standards.

 

Leadership Development in Action is a project-based course in which students integrate higher order thinking, communication, leadership, and management processes to conduct Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) leadership projects at the local, state, or national level. Each student will create a vision statement, establish standards and goals, design and implement an action plan and timeline, reflect on accomplishments, and evaluate results.

 

Agricultural Research Capstone course includes extended laboratory, field, and literature investigations in one or more specialized agricultural science disciplines, such as animal, plant, food, natural resources, biotechnology, engineering, etc. Students enrolled in this course will apply scientific applications, concepts, principles, and design process to solve complex, realworld issues in agriculture. Students will become familiar with laboratory procedures used in an educational, research, or industrial setting. Students will complete an end-of-course project and presentation, such as a scientific research paper, agriscience fair project, or some other suitable presentation of their findings.

Instructors

Katie Frew          kfrew@mccsc.edu 

 

David Hess          rhess@mccsc.edu