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Agriculture

Overview

Welcome to the Agriculture Department at Valley Career and Technical Center. We are delighted to have you! The Agriculture Department at VCTC is designed to compliment your Agricultural Education at your home high school. We are here to help you specialize and expand your knowledge in the Animal, Plant and Agribusiness Systems. Our goal is to expose students to the vast agriculture industry, develop leadership skills for them to be successful in their careers and develop a network of support for them to reply on in the future. We offer 2 different programs for our students.

Floriculture and Greenhouse Plant and Food Production: Where we grow, harvest, and design using locally grown and sourced flowers for events in a garden style design theme. We will typically design for 10 weddings a year! We also will grow a variety of food crops using hydroponics and research proven high tunnel greenhouse methods.

Livestock Management and Operating the Farm Business: Where we expand on our current livestock knowledge to be able to efficiently and safety raise food animals and implement the business side of operating an agribusiness enterprise.

Outdoor Recreation & Tourism Management and Ag Business: Learn how to enhance the quality of life for people engaging in outdoor recreational activities. Students will also explore the development and  management of recreational areas and the economic benefits and environmental effects of tourism. 


Course Content

FLORICUTURE/ GREENHOUSE PLANT PRODUCTION

· Basic botany

· Preparation and care of plants and flowers

· Floral design

· Plant propagation

· Principles of vegetable production and commercial crops

· Hydroponics  and microgreens

· Vertical crop production

· Leadership, marketing & business management

Course Details

Floriculture (Semester 1)  Greenhouse Plant Production (Semester 2)

GRADES: 10, 11, or 12

Course Length: 1 Semester for Each Course

Industry Credentials Offered

NOCTI Floriculture—Greenhouse Exam

Private Pesticide Applicators License


Course Content

LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT/ OPERATING THE FARM BUSINESS   

· Livestock nutrition, breeding, selection, and production

· Animal health and anatomy

· Beef, dairy, sheep and poultry industries

· Crop and soil science

· Conservation and natural resources

· Ag Mechanics

· Budgeting, financial analysis, and investment analysis

· Decision making to maximize profit

Course Details

Livestock Production Management (Semester 1) 

Operating the Farm Business (Semester 2)

GRADES: 10, 11 or 12

Course Length: 1 Semester for Each Course

Industry Credentials Offered

NOCTI Exam

Beef Quality Assurance Certification

Master of Beef Advocacy


Course Content

OUTDOOR RECREATION & TOURISM MANAGEMENT/ AG BUSINESS   

· Plan, promote , market and  organize outdoor expeditions (i.e. hunting, fishing, hiking, canoeing)  or ag tourism businesses (i.e. food festivals, event venues, trail riding, walking trails)

· Learn to manage recreational areas and enterprises safely while meeting legal requirements

· Develop landscape and site plans for recreational facilities

· Plan, construct and maintain facilities and equipment

· Evaluate and manage land, human and financial resources to support enterprises

Course Details

Outdoor Recreation & Tourism Management (Semester 1) 

Ag Business (Semester 2)

GRADES: 10, 11 or 12

Course Length: 1 Semester for Each Course

Industry Credentials Offered

OSHA 10


Options After HS

Workforce

arborist, farm manager, landscaper, florist, animal breeder, poultry technician, farm manager, crop advisor, environmental compliance inspector

Local Employers:  Augusta Co-op, Houff Corporation, Perdue Foods LLC, BlooMaker, Harmony Harvest Farm, Waynesboro Landscape & Garden Center

Career Certificate/ Associate Degree (2 yr) program

Virginia Tech—Ag Technology

BRCC—Biotechnology Manufacturing, Veterinary Assisting, Veterinary Technology

Dabney Lancaster CC—Ag & Forestry, Culinary Arts

Bachelor’s /Post Baccalaureate Degree (4 yr+) majors

Agriculture, Animal Science, Biology,  Business, Environmental Science, Food Science, Crop & Soil Science,  Botany, Landscape Design

Instructor Contact Information

Name: Kristin Beery

Email: [email protected]

School: 540-245-5002
Fax:  540-885-0407