St. Helena FFA
Leadership, Growth, Excellence!
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Agriculture Courses
Agriscience
UC Approved Lab Science
College Prep
Honors Credit
UC Approved Lab Physical Science
Honors Credit​
UC Approved Lab Science
Plant Science
Horticulture
UC Approved Elective
College Prep
Viticulture
UC Approved Elective
College Prep
Landscape
College Prep
Ag Mechanics
Intro Ag Mechanics
CTE Credit
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AutoCAD
CTE Credit
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Advanced Ag Mechanics
CTE Credit
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Agriscience Course Descriptions
Agriculture Biology is a laboratory science course designed for the college-bound student. It provides the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in college. The course emphasizes detailed knowledge of the biological principles of the following areas: molecular and cellular aspects of living things; structure and function of agricultural plants and animals; genetics; evolution; physiology; plant and animal diversity; and principles of classification, ecological relationships, and animal behavior. State standards will be met by using agriculture as a learning vehicle.
Students taking this honors level course will be preparing for a concentration in the sciences in college. They will be expected to master all of the content in the Chemistry-Ag Course, which follows the NGS Standards and complete additional laboratory written reports. They will increase their laboratory content to 35% of the course content and be expected to individually develop and carry through a unique experimental design through their Agrisicence Research Project. The overall goal of a rigorous chemistry curriculum is to develop critical, disciplined thinking in our students and to encourage a love of learning about and respect for the intricacies and beauty of our physical world.
This integrated class combines an interdisciplinary approach to laboratory science and research with agricultural management principles. Using the 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 agriscience experimental research projects in which students design and conduct experiments to solve relevant issues. Final projects will be eligible for Career Development Event competition at FFA events.
Plant Science Course Descriptions
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Horticulture
Horticulture involves scientific and practical aspects of plant growth and function, classification, and environmental factors. This course provides a broad view of the horticulture industry in California. Instruction emphasizes nursery and greenhouse production practices, soils and fertilizers, plant identification, and integrated pest management. Students will understand the large scope of career opportunities in horticulture. Application of skills includes propagation of annual and perennial plants from seeds, plugs, and cuttings for use on campus and for plant sales. Students will be responsible for managing the school gardens, greenhouse, and shade house on campus. Guest speakers, field trips, labs, and hands-on projects enhance and enrich the learning within this course.
Viticulture
Viticulture (grape-growing) prepares students for further studies and employment in the viticulture and enology industry. The course equips students with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in college and in the workforce within the viticulture industry. The course emphasizes hands-on agricultural applications using local vineyards and wineries as extensions of the classroom. Students in this class collaborate with the industry at every step of vineyard management in the production of one barrel of wine. Students are expected to participate in all hands-on aspects of the course, which enrich understanding by applying skills learned in real-world applications, including vineyard management, harvest, crush, press, fermentation, and bottling of the class wine. Students will not only learn about past and present viticulture and enology industry in Napa Valley but emerging careers and agriculture issues within the industry. Students will understand the large scope of career opportunities in viticulture and enology. Guest speakers, field trips, demonstrations, labs, and hands-on projects enhance and enrich the learning within this course.
Ag Mechanics Course Descriptions
Ag Mechanics
Agriculture Mechanics is a class designed for students interested in agriculture technology. The course emphasizes hands-on learning of physical science principles through a series of projects including arc and oxyacetylene welding, electricity, concrete and masonry work, and design and construction of wood and metal projects. This course will meet the one-year vocational education requirement at St. Helena High School.
Computer-Aided Design (AutoCAD)
This is an introductory course to Computer-Aided Design software. This software allows students to learn the skills and processes to draw mechanical parts, architectural plans, engineering diagrams, electronics, etc. During this course, students will learn the basics of CAD creation and manipulation using a variety of computer command inputs including keyboard shortcuts, toolbox icons, and mouse menu selection.
Advanced Ag Mechanics
The course emphasizes hands-on learning by allowing the student to use mechanical skills to design, budget, and fabricate two semester-long projects. Students will use community input to help them decide what kind of agriculture project to build. The student project will be either sold through a community auction, used at home or used by the SHHS agriculture department.