Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our environment. Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and the biotic world can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations. Sustainability is important to making sure that we have and will continue to have, the water, materials, and resources to protect human health and our environment.  Agriculture Biology 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, how does 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.

This course explores the physical and chemical nature of soil as well as the relationships between soil and the relationships between soil, plants, animals, and agricultural practices. Students will examine properties of soil and land and their connections to plant and animal production. Using knowledge of scientific protocols as well as course content, students will develop an agriscience research program to be conducted throughout the first semester of the course. To complete that whole project each student will investigate and test an agriscience research question by formulation a scientific question related to the course content, formulating a hypothesis based on related research, conducting an experiment to test the hypothesis collecting quantitative data, and forming a conclusion based on analysis of the data. The result of this research program will be an in depth research and experimentation paper that is technically written, based on scientific protocol, and cited using APA formatting. Additionally, students will develop and present a capstone soil management plan for agriculture producers, using the content learned throughout the course. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation an intracurricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing research supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program. 

This year-long laboratory, integrated science course is designed for the college bound student and integrates laboratory science and research with agricultural management principles. Students design experiments to solve agricultural management issues currently facing the industry. By connecting the products created in this class with industry activities, students experience real-world problem-based learning and implement skills demanded by colleges and careers. The course culminates with an agriscience experimental research project related to the agricultural issue they identified in the fall. Final projects are eligible for Career Development Event competitions at FFA events. * Throughout the course, students will participate in FFA activities and will develop and maintain an ongoing Supervised Agricultural Experience and record book.

This course is designed to develop critical skills in the areas of nursery management, landscaping, plant reproduction, plant physiology, pest management and plant identification. Class activities will include greenhouse production in the fall and spring. Using knowledge of scientific protocols as well as course content, students will develop an agriscience research program to be conducted throughout the first semester of the course. TO complete that project, each student will investigate and test an agriscience research question by formulating a scientific question related to the course content. The result of this research program will be a research and experimentation paper that is technically written and based on scientific protocol. Throughout the course, students will be graded on participation in intracurricular FFA activities as well as the development and maintenance of an ongoing research supervised agricultural experience (SAE) program. This SAE will be taken to the Silver Dollar Fair in the Spring.

This course will develop students’ understanding of the livestock and small or companion animal industries.  Topics will include animal anatomy and physiology, animal nutrition, animal reproduction, animal ethics and welfare issues, animal health, veterinary medicine. Career exploration will focus on veterinarian, veterinary lab technicians, small animal production, research lab assistant, and animal nutrition lab technician. Students will research and perform laboratory exercises on the anatomy and physiology of several domestic animal species. Students will differentiate the nutritional needs of different species in different stages of life. Students will recognize the symptoms of common infectious diseases and discuss treatment and prevention plans. Students will explain the significance of surgery. Students will be able to identify routes of drug administration, read and follow directions on drug labels, and prepare proper dosages. Students will learn the requirements to become a registered animal health professional and a licensed veterinarian in California, as well as the general working conditions, personal qualifications, and job requirements.  

* Since FFA and Supervised Agricultural Experience Projects (SAEs) are integral components of this course, students are required to maintain an SAE Project and an FFA record book.