Let’s Start Learning ABout Agriculture!
WHAT WE OFFER
The Nebraska Agriculture Academy provides hybrid education to students grades 7-12. Our goal is to make it possible for homeschool students across Nebraska to participate in FFA and learn about agriculture. To make this possible, we provide an extensive Course Catalog. We have classes available for the 2024 - 2025 school year. Check them out below!
**Remember, in order to participate in FFA, a student must meet the required prerequisites. 8 weeks of modules for Junior High and 15 weeks of modules for High School.
MINI MODULES
7TH AND 8TH GRADE - $250 PER MODULE
Mini Modules are course offerings specific to students who are in 7th and 8th Grade. Nebraska Agriculture Academy defines “7th and 8th Grade” as students who are 12-14 years old. These four Mini Modules lay a firm foundation for those who seek involvement in our agriculture program by demonstrating the inner-workings of the three-circle model; Classroom, Supervised Agricultural Experiences, and FFA.
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Pathways In Agriculture
| September 2 - October 4, 2024 |
Prerequisite: Must be in 7th or 8th Grade
Description: The Pathways in Agriculture Mini Module is designed to develop inquiry and communication skills while also providing an understanding and awareness of careers in agriculture for 7th and 8th grade students. Students will research and communicate with a variety of people working in agriculture careers, develop a poster board of student findings, and prepare to discuss career requirements of the people interviewed.
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Junior High Leadership in Agriculture
| October 7 - November 8, 2024 |
Prerequisite: Must be in 7th or 8th Grade
Description: Junior High Leadership in Agriculture Mini Module develops the ability of 7th and 8th graders to competently express themselves as they assume the responsibilities of leadership within the agriculture industry. Students will also be introduced to various competitions and leadership opportunities within the FFA organization.
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| NEW | Supervised Agricultural Experiences Basics
| January 6 - February 7, 2025 |
Prerequisite: Must be in 8th Grade
Description: Through this module, students will gain a greater understanding of what a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is, how it’s designed and conducted, and best reflective practices through these real world experiences. Experiences develop career and employability skills in alignment with the students’ personal goals. SAEs are unique to each student and may be structured as a student business, internship, or a research experiment/study. Experiences may be paid or unpaid based on local resources and opportunities.
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| NEW | FFA Basics
| February 10 - March 14, 2025 |
Prerequisite: Must be in 8th Grade
Description: Students will gain knowledge of leadership and competitive opportunities to prepare for starting their freshman year. By this time, junior high students will have been exposed to junior high competitive events, and the purpose of this class is to highlight the expanded opportunities in FFA once they’re a freshman. Students will also be able to demonstrate parliamentary procedure to conduct an orderly and efficient meeting, communicate and participate effectively as a team member, demonstrate critical thinking, and use teamwork for effective decision making.
Prerequisite Standard Modules
9th and 10th Grade - $300 per Module
The purpose of Prerequisite Modules is to lay a solid foundation for students who are first joining the Nebraska Agriculture Academy and are 9th or 10th graders (14 or 15 years of age). These three prerequisites, Introduction to Agriculture 1, 2, and 3, dive into the three-circle model within agriculture education; Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), FFA, and Classroom instruction. Through these classes, students will have a complete understanding of the opportunities at their fingertips through Nebraska Agriculture Academy.
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Introduction to Agriculture 1
| September 2 - October 4, 2024 |
Prerequisites: Must be in Grades 9 or 10
Description: The introductory course for the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster provides a knowledge base in the major components of the industry. Learners will be exposed to a broad range of agriculture, food, and natural resources careers, cluster foundation knowledge and skills, and introduction to leadership development and the National FFA Organization (FFA). Classroom and laboratory activities are supplemented through supervised agricultural experiences, career exploration activities, and FFA leadership programs & activities. This specific module focuses on leadership development by achieving the student’s Greenhand Degree (ex. Reciting the FFA Creed) and recognizing various opportunities provided by the National FFA Organization.
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Introduction to Agriculture 2
| October 7th - November 8, 2024 |
Prerequisites: Must be in Grades 9 or 10 and taken Introduction to Agriculture 1
Description: This module serves as an extension of Introduction to Agriculture 1. The introductory course for the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster provides a knowledge base in the major components of the industry. Learners will be exposed to a broad range of agriculture, food, and natural resources careers, cluster foundation knowledge and skills, and introduction to leadership development and the National FFA Organization (FFA). Classroom and laboratory activities are supplemented through supervised agricultural experiences, career exploration activities, and FFA leadership programs & activities. This specific module focuses on Supervised Agricultural Experiences and navigating the Agriculture Experience Tracker software.
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Introduction to Agriculture 3
| November 11 - December 21, 2024 |
(No School Thanksgiving Week)
Prerequisites: Must be in Grades 9 or 10 and taken the following courses: Introduction to Agriculture 1 and 2
Description: This module serves as an extension of Introduction to Agriculture 1 and 2. The introductory course for the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster provides a knowledge base in the major components of the industry. Learners will be exposed to a broad range of agriculture, food, and natural resources careers, cluster foundation knowledge and skills, and introduction to leadership development and the National FFA Organization (FFA). Classroom and laboratory activities are supplemented through supervised agricultural experiences, career exploration activities, and FFA leadership programs & activities. This specific module focuses on the different pathways within agriculture, and allows students to find their favorite pathway in agriculture.
Regular standard MODULES
9TH AND 10TH GRADE - $300 PER MODULE
The purpose of the Regular Standard Modules is to allow students to explore their interests in various pathways in agriculture. The full pathways we offer for the 2024-2025 school year include Animal Systems and Plant Systems. More full pathways are in progress for coming years. Through these modules, students will have a focused curriculum in five week groups instead of the traditional eighteen week course. This allows students to perfect their craft in agriculture in sprints with breaks in between!
Standard Module Sets for September 2 - October 4, 2024
Plant Science 1 - NEW
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture 1, 2, and 3
Description: This course examines the scientific concepts related to plant systems. Students will examine plant classification, taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, genetics, and asexual and sexual propagation.
Environmental and Natural Resources
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture 1, 2, and 3
Description: This course provides opportunities for students to increase awareness of the close ties amongst living organisms as well as natural and environmental concerns with the interrelationships of living organisms and the world around us. Students are exposed to careers related to natural resources systems. Students also examine Nebraska’s natural resources and management techniques including range lands, soils, wildlife, aquatics and forestry.
Standard Module Sets for October 7 - November 8, 2024
Agriscience Fair
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture 1, 2, and 3
Description: The purpose of the Agriscience Module is to build awareness of science through research of current and diverse agricultural issues and to cultivate career readiness skills through the interaction of students, educators, the public and the research community. Students will design their own agriscience project within an agricultural pathway they’re interested in. Students will develop and submit a written report as their final grade, so it’s recommended that students have an intermediate understanding of English writing principles.
Introduction to Power, Structural, and Technical - NEW
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture 1, 2, and 3
Description: The purpose of this module is to explore the different areas in power, structural, and technical. This includes woodworking, welding, areas of construction, and mechanics. Students will build a project by the end, and it’s encouraged they have access to a mentor to help coach them through the project the student decides to build. Some past examples include building a fire pit, kitchen island, detailing a vehicle, leather working, welding horseshoe decor, and feeding pens with stalls for lambs.
Standard Module Sets for November 11 - December 21, 2024 (No School Thanksgiving Week)
Plant Science 2 - NEW
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture 1, 2, and 3 and Plant Science 1
Description: This course is designed as an extension of the Plant Science 1 course by
expanding upon the scientific concepts and learning how to care for the plant once germinated or propagated. Students will develop an understanding of plant nutrition and growth and explore various production methods.
Introduction to Poultry - NEW
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture 1, 2, and 3
Description: The Introduction to Poultry module focuses on basic scientific principles and processes that are involved in poultry industry history and importance, physiology, breeding, nutrition, and care in preparation for an animal systems career. Topics include poultry diseases, nutrition, industry issues, career opportunities and poultry evaluation.
Standard Module Sets for January 6 - February 7, 2025
Introduction to Large Animals
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture 1, 2, and 3
Description: The Introduction to Large Animals Module focuses on the basic scientific principles and processes that are involved in large animal physiology, breeding, nutrition, and care in preparation for an animal systems career. Topics include animal diseases, introduction to animal science, animal nutrition, animal science issues, career opportunities and animal evaluation.
Standard Module Sets for February 10 - March 14, 2025
Equine Science
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture 1, 2, and 3
Description: The Equine Science module introduces students to the scientific principles of breeding and husbandry of horses, including the production, care, and management of horses. Students will be introduced to classification of breeds of horses, as well as nutrition, reproduction, and disease prevention and management.
Agricultural Leadership and Career Readiness
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture 1, 2, and 3
Description: The Agricultural Leadership and Career Readiness Module includes leadership in a community, leadership concepts/applications, characteristics of an effective leader, characteristics of an effective manager, and a related practicum demonstrating contribution to society.
Standard Module Sets for March 17 - April 19, 2025
Introduction to Small Animals
Prerequisites: Introduction to Agriculture 1, 2, and 3
Description: Introduction to Small Animal Management includes breeding, grooming, care and marketing of companion animals. Alongside, students will create a management plan with a companion animal of their choice. This curriculum will include exotic pet management as well.
Advanced MODULES
11TH AND 12TH GRADE - $300 PER 5 weeks
The purpose of the Advanced Modules is to allow students to perfect their craft within agriculture as they finalize their high school career. These modules prepare students to be immersed in the workplace by providing hands-on experiences, job shadowing experiences, and socratic seminars to develop conversational skills in an area of agriculture that students choose to focus on.
Advanced Module Sets for October 7 - December 21, 2024 (No School Thanksgiving Week)
Veterinary Science - 10 Week Module - NEW
Prerequisites: Must be in 11th or 12th grade and have taken the following courses: Introduction to Agriculture 1, 2, and 3 and two animal focused standard modules (Introduction to Poultry, Introduction to Large Animals, Introduction to Small Animals, and/or Equine Science)
Description: This course introduces students to the basics of veterinary care. Topics covered include general animal care and welfare, animal health, laws and ethics relating to animal care, and workplace safety involving large, small, and exotic animals. Alongside, students will receive hands-on experience by job shadowing a local veterinarian and sharing their experiences with their classmates.
Advanced Module Sets for January 6 - February 7, 2025
Horticulture / Floriculture - 5 Week Module - NEW
Prerequisites: Must be in 11th or 12th grade and have taken the following courses: Introduction to Agriculture 1, 2, and 3 and two plant focused standard modules (Plant Science 1 and 2)
Description: This course will provide students with the necessary knowledge to apply design principles in the floral industry. Topics include history of the floral industry, processing techniques and tools, trends, and flower and foliage identification important in the design of quality floral arrangements.
Advanced Module Sets for February 10 - April 18, 2025
Dave Ramsey - Foundations in Personal Finance - 10 Week Module - NEW
Prerequisites: Must be in 11th or 12th grade and have taken the following courses: Introduction to Agriculture 1, 2, and 3 and three regular standard modules in any pathway.
Description: No one is born knowing all there is to know about money. It takes time, experience, and a few lessons learned the hard way to figure it all out. The experts you’ll meet in the course have been there and done that - and you get to learn from them! Dave Ramsey, Kristina Ellis, George Kamel, Ken Coleman, Dr. John Delony, and Rachel Cruze are passionate about helping people succeed in their finances, careers, and everyday lives. Ramsey solutions will be leading the curriculum content, but it means so much more when you have a cohort of students your age to reflect with and around. The mixture of content and reflection makes this an impactful experience and module for those involved!
Advanced Module Sets for March 17 - April 18, 2025
Crop Management and Agronomy - 5 Week Module - NEW
Prerequisites: Must be in 11th or 12th grade and have taken the following courses: Introduction to Agriculture 1, 2, and 3 and two plant focused standard modules (Plant Science 1 and 2)
Description: This course investigates advanced crop management production and management topics. Students develop an understanding of nutrition and fertilization methods, resource management, pest management, technology use, marketing, and sustainable systems.
Agricultural Work-Based Learning - 5 Week Module - NEW
Prerequisites: Must be in 11th or 12th grade and have taken at least three standard modules focused on any subject in agriculture.
Description: This course will provide students with fundamental skills for success in agricultural careers and team environments by finding a place to volunteer their time. Students will investigate a specific pathway in agriculture they’re interested in taking a career in by volunteering their time with a business. For the best experience, students must line up this volunteering experience prior to the start of the module. Throughout the module, students will reflect on their experiences and share it with their classmates.