La Habra High School
Applied Arts Department

Agriculture Education Standards
AGRICULTURE CORE

The student will:
  • list five agricultural commodities imported exported from Orange County, California, and the U.S. and explain the economic importance of each.
  • explain the relationship of the development of agriculture to the development of civilization and modern society in the U.S.
  • explain how natural resource availability affects agriculture.
  • describe the environmental impacts of agriculture on water, soil, and air.
  • describe the environmental challenges of urban sprawl, decline in water quality, and concerns over chemical use for agriculture.
  • explain the importance of agriculturists as stewards of our natural resources.
  • explain the flow of an agricultural commodity from the producer to the consumer.
  • explain the effect technology has had on agriculture (i.e., labor, production efficiency, product diversity and availability, mechanization, and communication).
  • explain the functions of production, processing, servicing, and marketing in agriculture.
  • research of advances in biotechnology.
  • maintain and complete the California Agricultural Record Book pertains to the Supervised Occupational Experience (SOE) program.
  • explain reasons for keeping accurate records and consequences of inaccurate records.
  • describe and perform three examples of computer applications in agriculture.
  • explain the benefits of FFA membership.
  • describe and explain leadership skills developed by participating in FFA.
  • demonstrate the use of five parliamentary procedure skills.
  • demonstrate the ability to cooperate and collaborate by serving on a committee for a school or community project.
  • demonstrate the process of solving a problem by identifying the problem, proposing solutions, gathering information, testing, and evaluating solutions.
  • engage in and manage an SOE which enables him/her to develop occupational skills.
  • develop an agricultural SOE plan.
  • demonstrate responsibility, commitment, and time management skills by conducting and maintaining an SOE.
  • develop an understanding of how to conduct a job search, write a resume, and interview for a job.
  • describe a six agriculture career cluster and give examples of entry, technical, and professional careers in each cluster.
  • develop a resume and participate in a mock job interview.
  • utilize resources to learn about an agriculture occupation of his/her choice.
  • sketch an object to scale, showing dimensions.
  • calculate area and volume when given dimensions using standard or metric measurements.
  • apply basic math skills to plant and animal production problems.
  • identify commonly used tools.
  • demonstrate the use and safety procedures on a given selection of common maintenance and landscaping tools.
  • perform safe maintenance, service, and operation procedures on equipment applicable to agriculture.
  • explain the care and uses of domesticated livestock in society.
  • explain the difference between domesticated and non-domesticated animals.
  • describe proper care of domesticated animals to insure their welfare and productivity.
  • compare and contrast the evolution and uses of domestic animals.
  • explain the major functions of the digestive, reproductive, circulatory, nervous, muscular, skeletal, respiratory, and endocrine systems.
  • compare and contrast the basic parts and functions of monogastric and ruminant digestive systems.
  • label the basic parts and describe the functions of male and female reproductive systems.
  • identify the major body systems that compose the vertebrate—digestive, reproductive, circulatory, nervous, muscular, skeletal, respiratory, and endocrine.
  • give examples of the major components of each system.
  • compare and contrast the structures of plant and animal cells.
  • compare and contrast the major external body parts of a bovine, porcine, and avian animal.
  • explain and/or diagram these concepts and processes.
  • describe the difference between genotype and phenotype and dominant and recessive genes with the assistance of the Punnett Square.
  • describe the process of fertilization.
  • diagram and label the process of meiosis to form sperm and ova and the process of mitosis.
  • identify common feel ingredients and explain the uses of different feeds for particular animal species.
  • list six classes of nutrients and their functions.
  • choose and justify the type of feeds suitable for the digestive system of ruminant, monogastric, and avian species.
  • explain how production processes, stage development, costs, and availability of feeds dictate their selection.
  • describe basic guidelines for animal feeding.
  • recognize a sick animal, describe its symptoms, and recommend treatment.
  • describe the appearance and behavior of a normal, healthy animal.
  • list the major factors affecting animal health (housing, sanitation, nutrition).
  • describe the major components of soil (air, water, organic material, and minerals).
  • explain the relationship of soil characteristics to plant growth (soil, texture, structure, pH, and salinity).
  • identify the major components for plant growth (air, water, heat, light, soil).
  • explain the functions of the root, leaf, stem, fruit, and flower.
  • explain the process of photosynthesis and its importance to life.
  • describe the life cycles of annual, biennial, and perennial plants.
  • compare and contrast the structures of plant and animal cells.
  • explain how insects, weeds, disease, and vertebrate pests affect plant production.
  • define IPM, discuss its advantages and disadvantages.
  • describe chemical, mechanical, cultural, and biological methods of controlling insects, weeds, and disease.
  • discuss major issues related to the use of these natural resources.
  • describe how natural resources are used in agriculture.
  • describe major issues related to water sources and water quality.
  • compare and contrast practices for conserving renewable and non-renewable resources.