2016 – 2017
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Agricultural Production Technology
Career Cluster:	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

AS	
CIP Number	1101000000	
Program Type	College Credit	
Standard Length	60 credit hours	
CTSO	Collegiate FFA	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	11-9013 - Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

Purpose

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 Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to instruction that prepares individuals to manage land, water, machinery, financing, crops and/or livestock, labor and facilities as well as make contracts, manage taxes, 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.

Program Structure

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of 60 credit hours.

Standards

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

01.0	Obtain and dispose of an agricultural enterprise.
02.0	Manage and supervise labor.
03.0	Manage crops.
04.0	Manage livestock.
05.0	Manage machinery and equipment.
06.0	Manage facilities.
07.0	Select sources and methods of financing the operation.
08.0	Keep and analyze financial, production and personnel records.
09.0	Market crops/livestock.
10.0	Interpret technical information and incorporate it into managerial practices.
11.0	Integrate state and federal regulations into the operation.
12.0	Demonstrate leadership, communication, employability and human relations skills. 

2016 – 2017
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Agricultural Production Technology
CIP Number:		1101000000
Program Length:	60 credit hours
SOC Code(s):	11-9013

The AS degree requires the inclusion of a minimum of 15 credits of general education coursework according to SACS, and it must be transferable according to Rule 6A-14.030 (2), F.A.C.  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Obtain and dispose of agricultural enterprise – the student will be able to:	
01.01	Determine land capability classes of farm or ranch.	
01.02	List steps in obtaining title to real estate.	
01.03	Determine advantage of using services of Soil Conservation Service (SCS).	
01.04	Develop a farm or ranch rental/lease agreement.	
01.05	Determine value of property.	
01.06	Develop a will for transfer or disposal of property.	
02.0	Manage and supervise labor – the student will be able to:	
02.01	Train and supervise workers.	
02.02	Obtain information from workers necessary for employment.	
02.03	List responsibilities and liability of employer regarding workers rights, safety and welfare.	
02.04	List local, state and federal regulations regarding employment of workers.	
02.05	Develop an employee work schedule.	
03.0	Manage crops – the student will be able to:	
03.01	Prepare a land use plan.	
03.02	Determine long-range conservation practices.	
03.03	Prepare soil for crops.	
03.04	Select crop varieties best suited for land, market and type of farm operation.	
03.05	Determine seeding/planting rate and spacing.	
03.06	Calibrate and adjust planting equipment.	
03.07	Plant crops.	
03.08	Select appropriate cultural practices including cultivation, fertilization and irrigation.	
03.09	Identify and control diseases, insects and pests.	
03.10	Determine maturity of crops.	
03.11	Harvest crops.	
03.12	Store crops.	
03.13	Determine the most advantageous method of marketing crops.	
04.0	Manage livestock – the student will be able to:	
04.01	Select and/or breed livestock.	
04.02	Determine nutritional requirements and balance livestock rations.	
04.03	Prepare a feeding schedule.	
04.04	Determine quality of pasture range or forage.	
04.05	Provide for winter rations and supplements.	
04.06	Maintain pasture fertility and quality.	
04.07	Develop a breeding/marketing plan for operation.	
04.08	Cull unproductive animals.	
04.09	Provide aid for animals with parturition problems.	
04.10	Care for newborn livestock.	
04.11	List causes of livestock infertility.	
04.12	Provide mineral supplement for animals.	
04.13	Determine most advantageous method of marketing livestock.	
04.14	Transport livestock.	
04.15	Identify and treat disorders, diseases and pests of livestock.	
05.0	Manage machinery and equipment – the student will be able to:	
05.01	Assess needs for the purchases of new or replacement equipment.	
05.02	Maintain oil, fuel and hydraulic levels in equipment.	
05.03	Maintain tires, batteries and coolant system on all equipment and vehicles.	
05.04	Operate and service small gasoline engines.	
05.05	Replace hoses, belts and lines.	
05.06	Cut and weld with oxy-acetylene and arc welding equipment.	
05.07	Observe safety procedures when operating farm equipment.	
05.08	Develop a general maintenance schedule.	
06.0	Manage facilities – the student will be able to:	
06.01	Safely operate and maintain general farm shop tools and equipment.	
06.02	Install and maintain electrical wiring and equipment.	
06.03	Square and build a farm structure.	
06.04	Determine a bill of materials for a farm construction project.	
06.05	Form and pour concrete.	
06.06	Build and repair fences, gates and pens.	
06.07	Develop a general maintenance schedule for facilities and equipment.	
07.0	Select sources and methods of financing the operation – the student will be able to:	
07.01	List major sources of production credit.	
07.02	List sources of credit for capital items and real estate.	
07.03	Prepare a case using accepted forms for obtaining credit from farm lending institutions.	
08.0	Keep and analyze financial, production and personnel records – the student will be able to:	
08.01	Keep fertilization and pesticide use records.	
08.02	Keep equipment maintenance and service records.	
08.03	Record cultural and production information.	
08.04	Determine cost efficiency of operations.	
08.05	Maintain labor and personnel records.	
08.06	Prepare a farm tax return.	
08.07	Prepare an annual budget	
08.08	Determine credit, cash flow and investment returns.	
08.09	Review sources and kinds of farm insurance.	
09.0	Market crops/livestock – the student will be able to:	
09.01	Secure and interpret market information.	
09.02	Select marketing channels for greatest profit.	
09.03	Interpret elements of marketing agreements.	
09.04	Market crops/livestock.	
09.05	Provide for transportation of product to market.	
10.0	Interpret technical information and incorporate it into managerial practices – the student will be able to:	
10.01	Keep and maintain a file of current technical information from universities, governmental and commercial agencies.	
10.02	Maintain a reference file for periodicals and other publications.	
10.03	Attend seminars and workshops to update skills and knowledge.	
10.04	Determine sources and advantages of using computer networking.	
11.0	Integrate state and federal regulations into operation – the student will be able to:	
11.01	List agencies responsible for inspecting and regulating operation of product.	
11.02	Secure necessary inspection certificates and registrations.	
11.03	List reasons for the necessity of inspections, certifications and registrations.	
12.0	Demonstrate leadership, communication, employability and human relations skills – the student will be able to:	
12.01	Develop citizenship awareness and responsibility.	
12.02	Demonstrate knowledge in organizing and conducting meetings.	
12.03	Demonstrate effective communication skills.	
12.04	Complete an employment application	
12.05	Conduct a job search.	
12.06	Demonstrate job interview skills.	
12.07	Recognize appropriate work habits.	
12.08	Identify associations and societies associated with occupation or profession.	

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.

Special Notes

Planned and supervised occupational activities may be provided through directed laboratory experience, practicum or cooperative experience.  Whenever the cooperative method of instruction is offered, the following is required for each student:  a training plan, signed by the student, teacher and employer which includes instructional objectives and a list of on-the-job and in-school learning experiences; a work station which reflects equipment, skills and tasks which are relevant to the occupation which the student has chosen as a career goal.  The student must receive compensation for work performed.

Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO)

Collegiate FFA is the appropriate career and technical student organization for 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