Tulare FFA Est. 1928
Tulare FFA 2022-2023 Officers posing for a group picture in their blue jackets

Ag Classes Offered

Agriculture Science 1
Agriculture I includes the study of a wide range of agriculture areas and careers. Basic areas of study include Careers in agriculture, Future Farmers of America, Plant Science, and Animal Science. Students will be given the opportunity to explain hands on learning as it relates to skills used in Agriculture. Practical application of skills will take place at the High School Farm facilities.

Agriculture Science 2
The animal/plant science course, which meets the life science graduation requirement, emphasizes a study of the structure and function of animal and plant system as they relate to agriculture. The various animal/plant systems, nutrition, disease, and genetics are among taught. Emphasis is given to the importance of the environment and ecological issues.

Agriculture Biology
Agriculture Biology is a one-year laboratory science course, designed for the college-bound student with career interests in agriculture. Principles, concepts, and interrelationships of: Plant and animal growth, reproduction, cell biology, genetics, taxonomy, evolution, behavior, nutrition, health, diseases and ecology, similarities between animals and humans are explored. The course is centered on the laboratory component linking life and biological science with agriculture applications. Earth, physical and general science principals will be used to link these applications. Written and oral reporting skills will be emphasized.

Agriculture Biology Honors
Honors Agriculture Biology is a one-year laboratory science course, designed for the college-bound student with career interests in agriculture. Principles, concepts, and interrelationships of plant and animal growth, reproduction, cell biology, genetics, taxonomy, evolution, behavior, nutrition, health, diseases and ecology, similarities between animals and humans are explored. The course is centered on the laboratory component linking life and biological science with agriculture applications. Earth, physical and general science principals will be used to link these applications. Written and oral reporting skills will be emphasized through the incorporation of a semester long Agri-Science Fair Project. This Agri- Science Fair Project will emphasize investigation and experimentation skills of the student.

Ornamental Horticulture
The Ornamental Horticulture course will provide students the opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of the horticultural industry. Horticulture is a vital and growing industry in California, one that offers many career opportunities. Course study will include such areas as modern nursery production operations, retail sales, landscape design and construction, landscape maintenance and pest control. Students will make use of greenhouses, shade houses, gardens, orchards, and landscape areas.

Floral
This class is designed to allow students to apply an artistic approach to floral design. Students will explore elements and principles of design, two or three dimensional designs, history of floral art, arrangement styles and techniques, seasonal, holiday and occasional designs. Students will achieve this through creating, designing, identifying, explaining, and evaluating all topics of study. In addition, all students will learn various types of cut and potted foliage, potted flowering plants, fresh flowers, tools, materials, display techniques, and cut flower care. Students will learn to recognize balance and harmony within an arrangement, along with scale, color, and date. The historical and cultural past of the floral industry will be discussed as it relates to modern floral design and tradition

Livestock
This course provides students with the opportunity to explore the various segments of the total livestock industry. Students will learn basic managerial skills involved in the raising of those breeds of sheep, swine and beef that are important to the industry. Feeding practices, basic veterinarian skills, systems of breeding and a study of the various animal systems are among the more significant areas studied.

Dairy Skills
This course is designed for students who are interested in working with dairy cattle as a manager, herdsman, and dairy worker or milkier. Students will gain a knowledge of the basic skills as well as a theoretical basis as it relates to such major areas of study as herd health, nutrition, reproduction, artificial insemination, record keeping, fitting, and showing, etc.

Veterinary Science
This class is designed to teach students advanced skills used in animal health and care, focusing primarily on the nutrition, behavior, psychology, handling of and identification of small animal species along with livestock species, prepare students for the animal health field as it relates to veterinary medicine, auxiliary animal health services and products. Students will learn to handle and safely restrain various animals, collect various lab samples, and do simple laboratory tests. Office procedures and records will be stressed as well as oral and written communication.

Agriculture Mechanics 1
The Agricultural Mechanics Pathway prepares students for careers related to the construction, operation, and maintenance of equipment used by the agriculture industry. Topics include technology, physical science principles, construction, mechanics, and welding. Students also learn safety principles, electrical wiring, hydraulic technology, and farm power and equipment operation.

Agriculture Mechanics 2
This course includes the study of both arc, oxy-acetylene, TIG and MIG welding. In arc welding, safety procedures, rod identification and stresses of metals are emphasized, plus the student develops a sufficient level of skill to pass a basic industry welding test. The Student becomes familiar with and able to weld different metals and alloys. Other skills, such as cutting, brazing, fusion welding, hard surfacing, vertical welding, cutting thick and thin metals, are applied to actual project work, such as trailers, loading chutes, and other agricultural equipment. This course prepares the student for a job in industry for specialized work on large farming operations, or for repair and fabrication work on the home farm.

Agriculture Mechanics 3
This course includes the study of both arc, oxy-acetylene, TIG and MIG welding. In arc welding, safety procedures, rod identification and stresses of metals are emphasized, plus the student develops a sufficient level of skill to pass a basic industry welding test. The Student becomes familiar with and able to weld different metals and alloys. Other skills, such as cutting, brazing, fusion welding, hard surfacing, vertical welding, cutting thick and thin metals, are applied to actual project work, such as trailers, loading chutes, and other agricultural equipment. This course prepares the student for a job in industry for specialized work on large farming operations, or for repair and fabrication work on the home farm.

Agriculture Mechanics 4
This course includes the study of SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding), GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding) and GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) welding. In SMAW, safety procedures, rod identification and stresses of metals are emphasized, plus the student develops a sufficient level of skill to pass a basic industry welding test. The Students become familiar with and able to weld different metals and alloys. Other skills, such as cutting, brazing, fusion welding, hard surfacing, vertical welding, cutting thick and thin metals, are applied to actual project work, such as trailers, loading chutes, and other agricultural equipment. This course prepares the student for a job in industry for specialized work on large farming operations, or for repair and fabrication work on the home farm.

Agriculture Business
This course is designed for advanced study of agriculture business opportunities and economics for the college bound students with interests in agriculture. Through the course, the students will understand and apply basic economic principles as they relate to individual consumers, production agriculture, and agribusiness management. Life skills such as resumes, job applications, interview skills, and college and scholarship applications will be included. The students will develop a “business” that will produce, package, determine prices, and market their products. Students will keep accurate records of expenses, receipts, and profit/loss. At the conclusion of the course, profits will be split equally between the partners.

Agriculture Work Experience
Agriculture Work Experience provides the opportunity for students to experience on-the-job experience in the world of work. Students are place in agriculture or Agri-business jobs and must complete related instruction assignments as part of the program. The related instruction focuses on the development of proper job habits and attitude and includes individualized instruction, which is directly related to the job. School credit is given and is based on both the employer’s evaluation as well as that of the work experience supervisor.

Small Gas Engines
Small Gas Engines/Power Systems includes the study of basic engine operation principals as well as troubleshooting and the repair of small gas engines in a wide range of agricultural applications. Emphasis is placed on safety, tool and part identification and engine systems. Students develop a sufficient level of skill to pass a basic industry small engines repair test.

Agricultural Leadership
This year-long course is designed to engage students in experiential activities which further their personal development and premier leadership skills. The curriculum consists of integrated performance activities that will assist in the development of critical thinking, extemporaneous speaking, conflict resolution, consensus-building and group communication abilities. Written and oral skill development will be emphasized through individual and collaborative projects as well as character development through service-learning exercises.