Agricultural Education
So what exactly is Agricultural Education?
So what exactly is Agricultural Education?
Agricultural Education is a nation-wide program overseen by the United States Department of Education and the United States Department of Agriculture. It is primarily a vocational subject, but with its close connections with science, economics, history and other core and elective subjects, it has great academic value as well. Agricultural education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems.
Agricultural Education is a nation-wide program overseen by the United States Department of Education and the United States Department of Agriculture. It is primarily a vocational subject, but with its close connections with science, economics, history and other core and elective subjects, it has great academic value as well. Agricultural education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems.
Agricultural education is more than “just a class” – it is an integrated approach to education that provides students with classroom instruction, laboratory skills, hands-on experience, internship opportunities, service learning, leadership potential, and career preparation. Agricultural education is a systematic program of instruction available to students desiring to learn about the science, business, technology of plant and animal production and/or about the environmental and natural resources systems. Agricultural education first became a part of the public education system in 1917 when the U.S. Congress passed the Smith-Hughes Act. Today, over 700,000 students participate in formal agricultural education instructional programs offered in schools throughout the 50 states and three U. S. territories.
Agricultural education is more than “just a class” – it is an integrated approach to education that provides students with classroom instruction, laboratory skills, hands-on experience, internship opportunities, service learning, leadership potential, and career preparation. Agricultural education is a systematic program of instruction available to students desiring to learn about the science, business, technology of plant and animal production and/or about the environmental and natural resources systems. Agricultural education first became a part of the public education system in 1917 when the U.S. Congress passed the Smith-Hughes Act. Today, over 700,000 students participate in formal agricultural education instructional programs offered in schools throughout the 50 states and three U. S. territories.
Today’s generation of youth is further removed from the farm than ever before. As a result, most American youth do not understand the crucial role agriculture serves in their lives and may have false notions of 21st century agriculture. However, these youth will have to make intelligent and informed decisions ranging from what food they eat to agricultural policies. Therefore, the lack of agricultural literacy is both a local and national problem that needs to be addressed.
Today’s generation of youth is further removed from the farm than ever before. As a result, most American youth do not understand the crucial role agriculture serves in their lives and may have false notions of 21st century agriculture. However, these youth will have to make intelligent and informed decisions ranging from what food they eat to agricultural policies. Therefore, the lack of agricultural literacy is both a local and national problem that needs to be addressed.
Through agricultural education, students are provided opportunities for leadership development, personal growth and career success.
Through agricultural education, students are provided opportunities for leadership development, personal growth and career success.
Agricultural education instruction is delivered through three major components:
Agricultural education instruction is delivered through three major components:
* Classroom/Laboratory instruction (contextual learning)
* Classroom/Laboratory instruction (contextual learning)
* Supervised Agricultural Experience programs (work-based learning)
* Supervised Agricultural Experience programs (work-based learning)
* Student leadership organization - National FFA Organization.
* Student leadership organization - National FFA Organization.
Classes at HVRHS:
Classes at HVRHS:
Class offerings for high school students are based on student interest and community needs assessments. All Agricultural classes at HVRHS integrate scientific principles and processes that are involved in Agriculture. The classes are considered STEM electives.
Class offerings for high school students are based on student interest and community needs assessments. All Agricultural classes at HVRHS integrate scientific principles and processes that are involved in Agriculture. The classes are considered STEM electives.
Animal classes include Veterinary Science, Companion Animal Science, and Equine Science. The classes focus on animal physiology, breeding, nutrition and care for a variety of livestock, equine, and companion animals. The curriculum covers diseases, anatomy, genetics, economic importance, identification methods, nutrition, ethical issues, career opportunities, and animal evaluation. Students will work hands on with the animals in the classroom and barn. Additionally, students will visit local farms where they are exposed to a variety of farming operations, techniques, food systems, farm ecology, and sustainable practices.
Animal classes include Veterinary Science, Companion Animal Science, and Equine Science. The classes focus on animal physiology, breeding, nutrition and care for a variety of livestock, equine, and companion animals. The curriculum covers diseases, anatomy, genetics, economic importance, identification methods, nutrition, ethical issues, career opportunities, and animal evaluation. Students will work hands on with the animals in the classroom and barn. Additionally, students will visit local farms where they are exposed to a variety of farming operations, techniques, food systems, farm ecology, and sustainable practices.
Plant science classes have four options for students to follow: Landscape Design and Construction, Greenhouse Botany, and Floral Design. Many Landscape students go on to begin successful Land Management and Landscaping enterprises in an area that has the client base. Students are able to work towards certifications in arboriculture, nursery/landscape and pesticide certification, while learning about plant physiology, identification, entomology, plant pathology and the use of the proper tools and equipment employed in the industry. Students also are trained in the safe operation of equipment. Greenhouse Botany students work in a 3,000 square foot greenhouse in the growing, commercial crops, farm-to-table produce, foliage plants and novelty crops all while studying plant biology and botany. Our Floral Design students are engaged in producing flowers for all occasions using wholesale suppliers from around the world. The science of plant biology combined with marketing and design principles are a staple of this pathway
Plant science classes have four options for students to follow: Landscape Design and Construction, Greenhouse Botany, and Floral Design. Many Landscape students go on to begin successful Land Management and Landscaping enterprises in an area that has the client base. Students are able to work towards certifications in arboriculture, nursery/landscape and pesticide certification, while learning about plant physiology, identification, entomology, plant pathology and the use of the proper tools and equipment employed in the industry. Students also are trained in the safe operation of equipment. Greenhouse Botany students work in a 3,000 square foot greenhouse in the growing, commercial crops, farm-to-table produce, foliage plants and novelty crops all while studying plant biology and botany. Our Floral Design students are engaged in producing flowers for all occasions using wholesale suppliers from around the world. The science of plant biology combined with marketing and design principles are a staple of this pathway
Agriculture mechanics classes include Agricultural Engineering, and Agricultural Mechanical Systems. The classes focus on the proper use and maintenance of a wide variety of equipment, safe equipment operation, power tool use, welding, small engine overhaul, tractor operation, electricity, and other hands on skills. Students visit local businesses to learn about additional equipment, new technology, and career opportunities.
Agriculture mechanics classes include Agricultural Engineering, and Agricultural Mechanical Systems. The classes focus on the proper use and maintenance of a wide variety of equipment, safe equipment operation, power tool use, welding, small engine overhaul, tractor operation, electricity, and other hands on skills. Students visit local businesses to learn about additional equipment, new technology, and career opportunities.
The natural resources classes include work with biologists around the state, region and nation. These resource professionals include fisheries and wildlife biologists as well as foresters and botanists. Students study freshwater fish environments as well as New England Wildlife and the scientific methods used to manage these habitats. Resource professionals and guest speakers bring this career opportunity and pathway to life.
The natural resources classes include work with biologists around the state, region and nation. These resource professionals include fisheries and wildlife biologists as well as foresters and botanists. Students study freshwater fish environments as well as New England Wildlife and the scientific methods used to manage these habitats. Resource professionals and guest speakers bring this career opportunity and pathway to life.
Farm to Table classes focus on growing, harvesting, and sourcing locally grown food. Students will explore cooking methods, ecology of food, sustainable food systems, and chef-community relations.
Farm to Table classes focus on growing, harvesting, and sourcing locally grown food. Students will explore cooking methods, ecology of food, sustainable food systems, and chef-community relations.
Field trips & hands on experience
Field trips & hands on experience
- Cranes Outdoor Power Equipment
- Sand Road Veterinary Hospital
- Laurelbrook Farm
- Freund's Farm Market
- Elm Knoll Farm
- Thorncrest Farm & Milk House Chocolates
- Audubon-Sharon Center
- Berkshire National Fish Hatchery
- Hurlburt Farm & Forestry
- Chestnut Orchard, GMF
- Great Mountain Forest
- White Memorial Foundation
- Berkshire Wood Products
- New Images Landscape
- Sharon Pheasant Farm
- DEEP Burlington Fish Hatchery
- Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area, Burlington
- Robbins Swamp Wildlife Management Area
- Douglas Library Wildlife Collections
- Tolland County Agricultural Center
- Berkshire Fly Fishing Outfitters
- Grand Canyon, AZ
- Yellowstone National Park - WY, MT
- Great Smoky Mountains, NC
- Gettysburg, PA
- Finger Lakes, NY
- Manitoba, Canada
- Ontario, Canada
- New Brunswick, Canada
- Rocky Neck State Park
- North Carolina State University
- Twin Lakes Marine Services
