Block class

1 Semester - 1 credit/Quarter

Course number: 90

This is a beginning course for students interested in agricultural related areas.  This course offers both farm-oriented students and interested students a general understanding of agriculture and agribusiness.  Careers in all areas of agriculture will be explored.  Students will have the opportunity to develop their leadership and speaking skills in this class.

Highlighted by a series of lab-oriented learning experiences, emphasis is placed on a variety of career options, basic agricultural management principles, introductory concepts of animal science, and crop and soil science.  Students will use several different sources of information beyond the textbook.  Advanced leadership skills will also be developed in this course.  A worthwhile learning experience is gained because students will look into areas of mutual interest.

Agricultural /Architectural Drawing

Block class

1 Quarter - 1 credit/Quarter

Course number: 91

Drafting of basic architectural plans for home building.  Topic areas include:  residential design, floor plans, foundation plans, elevations, sections, roof plans, plot designs, and blue print reading.  The majority of the drawings will be completed using the Computer-Aided-Drafting (CAD) system.

Introduction to Agricultural Mechanics

Block class

1 Quarter - 1 credit/Quarter

Course number: 93

Introduction to Agricultural Mechanics is organized to provide students the opportunity to acquire skills and technical information related to the specialized area of agricultural mechanics.  Topic areas include:  careers, using the agricultural mechanics shop, hand and power tools, electrical wiring, woodworking,  soldering and process needed to do it, and project planning.  Students will be expected to make a woodworking project. 

Animal Health

Block class

1 Quarter - 1 credit/Quarter

Course number: 92

*This class can be concurrent credit with NICC, articulated with Iowa State University and other Community Colleges.

AGS: 014

This course will introduce students to the various species and breeds of livestock and give them an appreciation for the principles of livestock production and marketing. The course will explore the importance and history of the livestock industry, animal breeding and reproduction, nutrition and feeding, animal health, marketing and issues in the animal industry. This course will also include some labs.

Crop Production/GPS-GIS

Block class

1 Quarter - 1 credit/Quarter

Course number: 94

*This class can be concurrent credit with NICC, articulated with Iowa State University and other Community Colleges.

AGA: 014

This course is designed to provide students the basic concepts in crop growth and physiology. Topics covered in this class will be: crop plant anatomy, classification and identification, soils, tillage and seeding, plant breeding, seed and grain quality, weeds, insects, diseases and harvesting and storage. Along with class there will be many hands- on labs dealing with Global Positioning Systems (GPS), grain identification, and soil testing and identification. 

Welding I

Block class

1 Quarter - 1 credit/Quarter

Course number: 88

This course is to familiarize students with basic metallic arc and oxy-acetylene welding processes used in industry.  The course consists of exercises, materials and equipment used in the shielded metallic arc welding process in gas welding, brazing, and flame cutting.  Basic techniques will be learned in uses of arc, oxy-acetylene, and MIG welding equipment, selection of electrodes, types of metals, various positions, and quality welds.  Soldering and other special welding processes will be discussed.

Welding II

Block class

1 Quarter - 1 credit/Quarter

Course number: 87

This course is to help students perfect their welding skills. The course consists of projects the students will plan, develop, and execute. Students will be required to bring in projects to work on.  Basic techniques used are arc, oxy-acetylene, and MIG welding.  Another technique that will be taught is oxy-acetylene cutting.

Students must have passed 7/10 welds in Welding I or prove proficiency to the instructor.

Ag Business Management

Block class

1 Quarter - 1 credit/Quarter

Course number: 98

*This class can be concurrent credit with NICC, articulated with Iowa State University and other Community Colleges.

AGB:030

This course will cover all the aspects of farm decision making, including record keeping, budgeting, year-end analysis enterprise analysis and tax management. Students will understand the economic principles to making business decisions, how to evaluate the performance of a business and the budgeting process. Students will better understand the resources required in business. Areas to cover include: Farm management, depreciation, income sheets, balance sheets, budgeting, risk management and farm investments.

Horticulture

Block class

1 Quarter - 1 credit/Quarter

Course number: 95

The course is designed to create an understanding of horticultural careers and develop some basic skills in a variety of areas.  These areas may include: plant propagation, integrated pest management, container-grown plants, landscaping, lawns and turf grass, vegetables and fruit garden, and holiday and floral designs.  Many hands-on activities will be done during the various sections of the course, depending on the quarter that the course is offered.  Plans are in the works for a greenhouse to be built and operational for the next years class.  Additional hands-on projects will be available with the greenhouse.

General Objectives

1)      To develop an interest in and explore career areas in horticulture.

2)     To understand the importance of horticulture.

3)     To develop skills that are important in the field of horticulture.

Landscaping Introduction

Block class

1 Quarter - 1 credit/Quarter

Course number: 97

This course is designed to create an understanding of the landscaping industry and develop some basic skills in a variety of areas.  These areas may include: using plants in the landscape, principles of landscaping, techniques of pruning, and lawn establishment and maintenance.  There will be hands-on activities that may include designing and completing a home and school landscaping project in the class.

General Objectives

1)      To develop an interest and explore career opportunities in landscaping.

2)     To develop introductory skills important to the field of landscaping.

3)     Design a plan for a landscaping project.

Natural Resources

Block class

1 Quarter - 1 credit/Quarter

Course number: 99

This course is designed to create an understanding of our natural resources and the concepts of natural resources management. Topics to be discussed are fish and wildlife resources-game management, forestry resources-products and management, energy and mineral resources-metals and minerals, outdoor recreation, water management, and careers in natural resources. Students will discover the importance of our natural resources.

Ag. Construction

Block class

1 Quarter - 1 credit/Quarter

Course number: 86

Prerequisite:  Intro to Ag. Mechanics

This course involves learning about the construction industry.  Students will be using power woodworking equipment and will be required to have projects related to the carpentry field.  Topic areas include:  tools, reading prints, building materials, building site, framing roofs, and completing the exterior.  Students will cover topics including: insulation, plaster and drywall, paneling, flooring, stairs, cabinets, interior trim and doors and concrete and masonry.  This course will be highlighted with equal time devoted to hands-on experience in the lab area to help develop skills.  Lab experiences may include construction of a 10 x 12 building, problem solving with concrete, basic woodworking and general ag. maintenance.