Sustainable Agriculture Pathway

Course Descriptions:

Biology and Sustainable Agriculture: This course meets University of California “D” Science Requirement. This course fulfills one of the following graduation requirements: biological science, Vocational Education, Elective. Credits: 10. Biology and Sustainable Agriculture is a one-year course designed to integrate biological science practices and knowledge into the practice of sustainable agriculture. The course is organized into four major sections, or units, each with a guiding question. Unit one addresses the question, What is sustainable agriculture? Unit two, sustainable agriculture fit into our environment? Unit three, What molecular biology principles guide sustainable agriculture? Unit four, How do we make decisions to maximize sustainable agricultural practices within a functioning ecosystem? Within each unit specific life science, principles will be identified with agricultural principles and practices guiding the acquisition of this knowledge, culminating in the development of a sustainable farm model and portfolio of supporting student research. National FFA Organization and Supervised Agricultural Experience Program (SAE) are integral parts of the curriculum. *Students will be expected to complete 2 hours of work outside of class time for each hour of instruction 

Chemistry and Agriscience: This course meets University of California “D” Science Requirement. This course fulfills one of the following graduation requirements: physical science or elective).  Credits: 10.  Certifications offered: BASF Plant Science certification. This lab-based course is aligned to the California Content Standards for Chemistry and will include an agricultural component. This course explores the physical and chemical nature of soil as well as the relationships between soil, plants, animals, and agricultural practices. Students will examine the properties of soil and land and their connections to plant and animal production. Students will develop an Agriscience research project in which each student will investigate a scientific question related to the course content, conducting an experiment to test the hypothesis, collecting quantitative data, and forming a conclusion based on analysis of the data. Students will develop and present a capstone soil management plan for agricultural producers. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in intracurricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program.  National FFA Organization and Supervised Agricultural Experience Program (SAE) are integral parts of the curriculum. 

Advanced Interdisciplinary Science for Sustainable Agriculture: This course meets University of California “D” Science Requirement. This course fulfills one of the following graduation requirements: biological science, vocational education or elective) Credits: 10. This integrated class combines an interdisciplinary approach to laboratory science and research with agricultural management principles. Using skills and principles learned in the course, students design systems and experiments to solve agricultural management issues currently facing the industry.

Additionally, students will connect the products created in this class with industry activities to link real-world encounters and implement skills demanded by both colleges and careers. The course culminates with an agriscience experimental research project in which students design and conduct an experiment to solve a relevant issue.  Final projects will be eligible for the Career Development Event competition at FFA events. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in intracurricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. Final projects will be eligible for the Career Development Event competition at FFA events. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in intracurricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. 

Links to more information: 

Click here for the link to EAHS AG Academy

Click here for the link to SHS FFA / AG