2016 – 2017
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Biomass Cultivation Specialist
Career Cluster:	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

CCC	
CIP Number	0101110301	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC)	
Program Length	21 credit hours	
CTSO	Collegiate FFA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	19-4011 - Agricultural and Food Science Technicians 
45-2092 - Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
19-4099 - Precision Agriculture Technicians
45-2091 - Agriculture Equipment Operators	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Biomass Cultivation AS degree program (1101110302).  

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the agricultural production sector within the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to instruction that prepares individuals to manage land, water, machinery, crops and facilities as well as keep records, analyze records and technical reports, and demonstrate leadership, employability, communication and human relations skills.

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Distinguish varieties of energy grasses.
02.0	Manage crops.
03.0	Manage machinery and equipment.
04.0	Demonstrate safe chemical handling and chemical waste removal.
05.0	Keep and analyze production records.
06.0	Demonstrate leadership, communication, employability and human relations skills.

2016 – 2017
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Biomass Cultivation Specialist
CIP Number:		0101110301
Program Length:	21 credit hours
SOC Code(s):	19-4011, 45-2092, 19-4099, 45-2091

This certificate program is part of Biomass Cultivation AS degree program (1101110302).  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:
	
01.0	Distinguish varieties of energy grasses – the student will be able to:	
01.01	List species used as bioenergy feedstock.	
01.02	Compare and contrast morphology and anatomy of energy grass species.	
01.03	Explain how biological features of energy grasses are important for cellulosic bioethanol production.	
02.0	Manage crops – the student will be able to:	
02.01	Prepare soil for crops.	
02.02	Determine seeding/planting rate and spacing.	
02.03	Calibrate and adjust planting equipment.	
02.04	Plant crops.	
02.05	Select appropriate cultural practices including cultivation, fertilization and irrigation.	
02.06	Identify and control diseases, insects and pests.	
02.07	Determine maturity of crops.	
02.08	Harvest crops.	
02.09	Store crops.	
03.0	Manage machinery and equipment – the student will be able to:	
03.01	Maintain oil, fuel and hydraulic levels in equipment.	
03.02	Maintain tires, batteries and coolant system on all equipment and vehicles.	
03.03	Operate and service small gasoline engines.	
03.04	Replace hoses, belts and lines.	
03.05	Cut and weld with oxy-acetylene and arc welding equipment.	
03.06	Observe safety procedures when operating farm equipment.	
03.07	Follow a general maintenance schedule.	
04.0	Demonstrate safe chemical handling and chemical waste removal – the student will be able to:	
04.01	Maintain records per state and federal regulations.	
04.02	Know and practice chemical handling according to the guidelines established by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).	
04.03	Demonstrate safe waste disposal practices. 	
05.0	Keep and analyze production records – the student will be able to:	
05.01	Keep fertilization and pesticide use records.	
05.02	Keep equipment maintenance and service records.	
05.03	Record cultural and production information.	
06.0	Demonstrate leadership, communication, employability and human relations skills – the student will be able to:	
06.01	Develop citizenship awareness and responsibility.	
06.02	Demonstrate effective communication skills.	
06.03	Complete an employment application.	
06.04	Conduct a job search.	
06.05	Demonstrate job interview skills.	
06.06	Recognize appropriate work habits.	
06.07	Identify associations and societies associated with occupation. 	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

Collegiate FFA is the intercurricular career and technical student organization(s) providing leadership training and reinforcing specific career and technical skills. Career and Technical Student Organizations provide activities for students as an integral part of the instruction offered. 

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Additional Resources

For additional information regarding articulation agreements, Bright Futures Scholarships, Fine Arts/Practical Arts Credit and Equivalent Mathematics and Equally Rigorous Science Courses please refer to:
http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml