2014 – 2015
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

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

AS	
CIP Number	1101110302	
Program Type	College Credit	
Standard Length	60 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 - Agricultural Equipment Operators
11-9013 - Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers 	
Targeted Occupation List	http://www.labormarketinfo.com/wec/TargetOccupationList.htm	
Perkins Technical Skill Attainment Inventory	http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/perkins/perkins_resources.asp 	
Statewide Articulation	http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/artic_frame.asp 	

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 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, financing, crops 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	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	Manage facilities.
06.0	Select sources and methods of financing the operation. 
07.0	Keep and analyze production and financial records.
08.0	Market crops.
09.0	Interpret technical information and incorporate it into managerial practices.
10.0	Integrate state and federal regulations into operation.
11.0	Demonstrate leadership, communication, employability and human relations skills.

2014 – 2015
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Biomass Cultivation
CIP Number:		1101110302
Program Length:	60 credit hours
SOC Code(s):	19-4011, 45-2092, 19-4099, 45-2091, 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	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 a land use plan.	
02.02	Determine long-range conservation practices.	
02.03	Prepare soil for crops.	
02.04	Select crop varieties best suited for land, market and type of farm operation.	
02.05	Determine seeding/planting rate and spacing.	
02.06	Calibrate and adjust planting equipment.	
02.07	Plant crops.	
02.08	Select appropriate cultural practices including cultivation, fertilization and irrigation.	
02.09	Identify and control diseases, insects and pests.	
02.10	Determine maturity of crops.	
02.11	Harvest crops.	
02.12	Store crops.	
02.13	Determine the most advantageous method of marketing crops.	
03.0	Manage machinery and equipment – the student will be able to:	
03.01	Assess needs for the purchases of new or replacement equipment.	
03.02	Maintain oil, fuel and hydraulic levels in equipment.	
03.03	Maintain tires, batteries and coolant system on all equipment and vehicles.	
03.04	Operate and service small gasoline engines.	
03.05	Replace hoses, belts and lines.	
03.06	Cut and weld with oxy-acetylene and arc welding equipment.	
03.07	Observe safety procedures when operating farm equipment.	
03.08	Develop 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	Manage facilities – the student will be able to:	
05.01	Safely operate and maintain general farm shop tools and equipment.	
05.02	Install and maintain electrical wiring and equipment.	
05.03	Determine a bill of materials for a farm construction project.	
05.04	Build and repair fences.  	
05.05	Develop a general maintenance schedule for facilities and equipment.	
06.0	Select sources and methods of financing the operation – the student will be able to:	
06.01	List major sources of production credit.	
06.02	List sources of credit for capital items and real estate.	
06.03	Prepare a case using accepted forms for obtaining credit from farm lending institutions.	
07.0	Keep and analyze financial and production records – the student will be able to:	
07.01	Keep fertilization and pesticide use records.	
07.02	Keep equipment maintenance and service records.	
07.03	Record cultural and production information.	
07.04	Determine cost efficiency of operations.	
07.05	Prepare a farm tax return.	
07.06	Prepare an annual budget.	
07.07	Determine credit, cash flow and investment returns.	
07.08	Review sources and kinds of farm insurance.	
08.0	Market crops – the student will be able to:	
08.01	Secure and interpret market information.	
08.02	Select marketing channels for greatest profit.	
08.03	Interpret elements of marketing agreements.	
08.04	Sell crops.	
08.05	Provide for transportation of product to market.	
09.0	Interpret technical information and incorporate it into managerial practices – the student will be able to:	
09.01	Keep and maintain a file of current technical information from universities, governmental and commercial agencies.	
09.02	Maintain a reference file for periodicals and other publications.	
09.03	Attend seminars and workshops to update skills and knowledge.	
09.04	Determine sources and advantages of using computer networking.	
10.0	Integrate state and federal regulations into operation – the student will be able to:	
10.01	List agencies responsible for inspecting and regulating crop farming.	
10.02	Secure necessary inspection certificates and registrations.	
10.03	Identify reasons for the necessity of inspections, certifications and registrations.	
11.0	Demonstrate leadership, communication, employability and human relations skills – the student will be able to:	
11.01	Develop citizenship awareness and responsibility.	
11.02	Demonstrate knowledge in organizing and conducting meetings.	
11.03	Demonstrate effective communication skills.	
11.04	Complete an employment application.	
11.05	Conduct a job search.	
11.06	Demonstrate job interview skills.	
11.07	Recognize appropriate work habits.	
11.08	Identify associations and societies associated with occupation. 	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory activities are an integral part of this program.  These activities include instruction in the use of safety procedures, tools, equipment, materials, and processes related to these occupations.  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.  The activities of such organizations are defined as part of the curriculum in accordance with Rule 6A-6.065, F.A.C.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities as identified on the secondary student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 plan or postsecondary student’s accommodations’ plan 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.

Program Length

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.  The standard length of this program is 60 credit hours according to Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.

Certificate Programs

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 AS degree program includes the following College Credit Certificates:

Biomass Cultivation Specialist (0101110301) – 21 credit hours

Standards for the above certificate programs are contained in separate curriculum frameworks.