- Class Time / Laboratory Time
- SAE (Supervised Agricultural Experience)
- FFA (Youth Organization with 500,000 Nationally)
The agricultural education program is a four-year program that meets for two periods. There are 4 subject areas: Animal Science, Plant Science, Natural Resources and, Agriculture Engineering.
The first year of the program students explore all of the agricultural subjects. During the find three years students choose one of the four areas to concentrate on. The program is designed with Academic rigor and a hands-on approach to learning. The center is 21,000 sq. ft. of which is 5 classrooms, 2 computer labs, 20 lap tops with a wireless connection, labs and a office with 4 teachers and a conference room for meetings and interviews. The center presently has 100 students with the ability to expand to 130. The labs consist of 750 sq. ft. Aquaculture lab, 1,800 sq. ft. of Greenhouse space, 1,800 sq. ft. of Animal Science lab, and 2,500 sq. ft. of a Mechanics lab. In addition to our new facilities we also have a ten acre land lab, where we grow Christmas trees and demonstrate our extensive inventory of equipment to prepare our students in the diverse field of Agricultural.
Students receive 7.5 credits towards the required 21 in the four years with a Science and Math credit built into our Ag. Curriculum; they also can earn an additional 12 credits in Tech-Prep through the University of Connecticut, and also take up to 12 credits of college credits at UConn. taking classes on campus at no cost to the student, which is a tremendous draw for our Ag. students continuing their education post secondary, in which we have 90% that take advantage of this great opportunity. Classes Offered Animal Science – Biotechnology, Animal nutrition, Livestock, Dairy production, and Equine Science
Natural Resources – GIS Geological information systems for land use planning, Forestry, and aquaculture
Plant Science – Plant Tissue Culture, Greenhouse management, Landscape design and floral design
Ag Mechanics – Equipment operations, electricity, welding, Fabrication, Structures, Small and large engine rebuild, and Bio diesel.
There are also units taught in public speaking, parliamentary procedure, and ag business.. SAE - Supervise Agricultural Experience Project Students are required to gain experience in agriculture outside of class time.
A minimum of 180 hours a year is required for an SAE. Students have a variety of projects: Plant Science – students work at garden centers, greenhouses, and florists. Landscape care and garden maintenance are popular projects for AG I & II students.
Natural Resources – Students are involved in activities at State Nature Centers, Recreational Facilities, lumber production and aquaculture
Animal Science – diversified livestock production, equine science, dairy, harvesting hay and raising and caring for animals.
Ag Engineering – Students are involved in golf course equipment management and repair, small gas engine repair, as well as tractor repair. All these hours can be in a Placement or Entrepreneurship enterprise in there local communities.
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