Agricultural Crop Production and Management
COURSE CODE: 5614
Course Description:
The Agricultural Crop Production and Management course prepares students to operate enterprises
producing cereal grain, fiber, forage, oilseed, tree fruits and nuts, small fruits, vegetables and other plant
products and includes instruction in soils, plant physiology, crop cultivation practices, plant diseases,
pest management, harvesting and marketing.
This course is a component of the following Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Pathways:
 Plant and Animal Systems
OBJECTIVE:
Given the necessary equipment, supplies, and facilities, the student, upon completion of the prescribed
number of instructional hours, will be able to successfully complete the following core competencies.
Course Credit: 1 unit
RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOK:
Introduction to Plant and Soil Science and Technology – Interstate
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Advisor’s Guide to the FFA Student Handbook
UNIT A Careers in Agricultural Crop Production and Management
Lesson 1 Careers
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Identify careers in the area of agricultural crops and management.
2. Describe the requirements needed to be successful in a agricultural crops and management occupation.
3. Describe the skills needed to be successful in a career.
Unit B Developing Leadership Skills in Agriculture
Lesson 1. Planning and Organizing an FFA Meeting
Student Learning Objectives:. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Explain how to plan a meeting and develop the order of business.
2. Describe how to set up the meeting room.
3. Explain the parliamentary procedure used in an FFA meeting.
Lesson 2. Developing an Awareness for Your Community
Student Learning Objectives:. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Describe the meaning and importance of community service.
2. List and identify community service organizations.
3. Explain how FFA members can be involved with community improvement and development.
Lesson 3. State FFA Degree
Student Learning Objectives:. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. List the requirements for the State FFA Degree.
2. Explain how a FFA member can obtain the State FFA Degree.
UNIT C Role of Plant and Soil Science
Lesson 1 Development of Agriculture
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Analyze how agriculture has evolved over time.
2. Describe human nutritional needs provided by agricultural products.
3. Explain the crucial role plants play in providing food for humans.
Lesson 2 Sustainable Agriculture
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Explain sustainable resource use.
2. Describe the role of plant and soil conservation.
3. Explain how quality of life is influenced by sustainable resource use.
4. Describe the role of science and technology in plant production.
5. Describe the concepts of precision farming.
UNIT D
Soil Practices
Lesson 1 Soil Formation
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Identify the content of soil.
2. Describe the physical qualities of soil.
3. Describe the biological nature of soil.
4. Explain how soil is formed.
5. Sketch the soil profile.
Lesson 2
Land Classification and Use
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Explain the features and uses of land.
2. Describe land capability and list capability factors.
3. Perform land capability classification.
Lesson 3 Soil Fertility
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Describe the importance of soil fertility.
2. Analyze the components of fertility.
3. Explain how soil pH relates to soil fertility.
4. Demonstrate soil sampling and analysis.
5. Illustrate how soil amendments are used with plants.
UNIT E
Water Practices
Lesson 1 Plant Water Requirements and Irrigation
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Explain soil moisture management.
2. Describe quality irrigation water.
3. Evaluate sources of water.
4. Demonstrate methods of water application.
5. Demonstrate efficient use of water.
6. Demonstrate the use of chemigation.
UNIT F
Plant Pests
Lesson 1
Integrated Pest Management
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Identify plant pests.
2. Describe Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
3. Illustrate the pest control tactics with IPM.
4. Explain the meaning and importance of agroecosystems.
5. Identify the benefits of IPM to agriculture and the environment.
6. Demonstrate important safety practices with pesticides.
7. Demonstrate set up and safe use of sprayer.
Lesson 2 Insects and Their Control
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Distinguish between beneficial and harmful insects.
2. Describe the biology of insects and nematodes.
3. Classify insects on the basis of mouth parts and life cycle.
4. Describe scouting procedures and define economic thresholds.
5. Explain how insect and nematode control is monitored.
6. Describe safety practices to use with pesticides.
7. Demonstrate set up and safe use of sprayer.
Lesson 3: Plant Diseases and Control
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Explain how diseases affect plants.
2. Describe the types and causes of plant diseases.
3. Identify common plant diseases.
4. Describe the dispersal of plant diseases.
5. Discuss methods of plant disease control.
6. Demonstrate set up and safe use of sprayer.
Lesson 4 Weeds and Control
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Explain weeds and losses caused by weeds.
2. Classify the types of weeds based on life cycle and growth.
3. Analyze ways weeds are spread.
4. Apply methods of weed control.
5. Explain herbicide selectivity.
6. Demonstrate herbicide applications.
7. Demonstrate set up and safe use of sprayer.
UNIT G
Production Crops
Lesson 1 Grain Crops
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Identify important grain crops.
2. List the leading grain production states.
3. Describe how to select grain crop varieties.
4. Demonstrate cultural requirements of major grain crops.
5. Describe minor and emerging grain crops.
6. Explain how grain crops are harvested for maximizing quality.
7. Explain how grain crops are stored to maintain quality.
Lesson 2 Sugar Crops
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Classify important sugar crops according to production location.
2. Describe how to select sugar crops.
3. Explain cultural practices with sugar crops.
4. Discuss how sugar crops are harvested in order to maximize quality.
Lesson 3
Oil Crops
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Identify oil crops and production locations.
2. Demonstrate the selection of oil crops.
3. Discuss cultural practices for oil crops.
4. Describe how oil crops are harvested to maximize quality.
Lesson 4 Fiber Crops
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Classify fiber crops.
2. Apply the cultural requirements of cotton.
3. Describe how cotton is processed.
4. Explain how cotton is harvested to maximize quality.
Lesson 5 Specialty Crops
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Research the production of specialty crops.
2. Explain the cultural requirements of various specialty crops.
3. Explain how specialty crops harvest techniques in order to maximize quality.
4. Discuss how specialty crops are processed.
Lesson 6 Forage Crops
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Explain the importance of forage crops.
2. Apply cultural practices to forage crops.
3. Analyze practices used in five forage crops harvesting to maximize quality.
Lesson 7 Vegetable, Fruit, and Nut Crop
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Classify vegetable, fruit, and nut crops by use and climate requirements.
2. Select vegetable, fruit, and nut crops.
3. Conduct cultural practices for vegetable crops.
4. Describe the role of technology in vegetable production.
5. Demonstrate harvesting and post harvest management of vegetable, fruit, and nut crops.
Unit H Supervised Experience in Agriculture
Lesson 1. Keeping and Using SAE Records
Student Learning Objectives: Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Explain how SAE records are organized.
2. Identify the procedures to making entries in the SAE records.
3. Explain how to summarize and analyze the SAE records.
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Lesson 2. Making Long Range Plans for Expanding SAE Programs
Student Learning Objective: Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Identify the factors that should be considered in expanding an SAE program.
2. Explain how placement and ownership SAE programs may be expanded.
Unit I Developing Communication Skills
Lesson 1—Introduction to Communication
Student Learning Objectives: Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Define communication and explain its purpose.
2. Identify the components of the communication process.
3. Identify the five different levels of communication.
4. Explain the barriers of successful communication.
5. Explain the relationship between communication and leadership.
Lesson 2—Organizing and Presenting a Persuasive Message
Student Learning Objectives: Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Explain the steps in preparing a persuasive message.
2. Describe delivery techniques in a persuasive message.
Lesson 3—Using Communication Skills In Appropriate Situations
Student Learning Objectives: Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Understand the role of communication skills in the workplace.
2. Understand how to present a problem to a supervisor.
3. Identify the techniques used in requesting information from a Supervisor.
4. Explain the role of written communication in an agribusiness.
Unit J Gaining Employment
Lesson 1—Developing Goals
Student Learning Objectives: Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Explain the process of goal setting.
2. Describe the terms and types of goals.
3. Explain some aspects of effective goals.
Lesson 2—Finding a Job
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Describe information sources for job opportunities.
2. Develop a system to evaluate job openings.
Lesson 3—Applying for a Job
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Explain how to research a job opportunity.
2. Describe two methods of applying for a job.
3. Identify the common types of information requested on a job application form..
Lesson 4—Writing a Résumé and Letter of Application
Student Learning Objectives. Instruction in this lesson should result in students achieving the following
objectives:
1. Explain the purpose of a résumé.
2. List the main items that should be included in a résumé.
3. Describe the purpose of a letter of application and its primary elements.