Why take Agriscience/Vocational courses in High School?
Most people just think of farming when they hear the word “agriculture” – but it is so much more. Agriculture is the lifeblood of society, responsible for more than $100 billion of the Louisiana economy. One in seven jobs – almost 20% – are created to grow, harvest, transport, retail and market food and fiber products.
Students can choose from up to 50 fascinating career and technical education courses, from biotechnology to veterinary science, including 24 Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) courses that will not only give them career skills, leadership skills and life skills, but also a deep sense of purpose; the world needs them.
Agricultural Education (Agriscience 1, 2 and 3) teaches about agriculture, natural resources, animal science, plant science (horticulture), food science, land & wildlife management as well as the FFA Organization (leadership skills) through hands on experience and guidance to prepare students for entry level jobs that will later prepare them for more advanced careers. Classes that may be taught in an agricultural education curriculum include horticulture, land management, turf grass management, agricultural science, small animal care, machine and shop classes, health and nutrition, livestock management, biology courses, etc. Agricultural education can be taught at the elementary level, middle school level, secondary, post secondary and adult levels.
Vocational agriculture trains people for jobs in such areas as production, marketing, and conservation. College agriculture involves training of people to teach, conduct research, or provide information to advance the field of agriculture, natural resources and food science in other ways.
General education agriculture informs the public about food and agriculture.
NCCER Carpentry, Electrical, Welding and other Vocational Courses are offered at the high school. With the Jump Start program, students are able to earn Level 1 and 2 certifications for a trades career. This means that students that successfully complete level 1 and 2 courses can go to a trade school and start on level 3 and 4. They will be able to start a high wage, high demand job less then 2 years out of high school.
***NCCER Core is the introduction course that must be taken and passed in order to earn any level 1 or higher certification. Core is taught as it's own unit it Agriscience 1.