Existing Instructional Materials
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Agribusiness in a Global Environment

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This curriculum is designed to help the high school student achieve a greater understanding of the global marketplace and environment of agriculture. These instructional materials will be available in electronic and hardcopy formats.

Individual units contain information on the following topic areas:

  • Setting the Stage for International Trade of Agricultural Products
  • Comparing Global Agriculture Production Systems
  • Exploring Careers in International Agriculture
  • Identifying and Developing a Market/Customer for Ag Products
  • Negotiating the Sale
  • Accounting for Cultural Differences
  • Marketing Ag Products in Other Lands
  • Transporting Ag Commodities
  • Ensuring Quality and Safety of Ag Products
  • Interpreting Legal and Political Requirements on Ag Products


Desired outcomes will be defined for each lesson. Goals will focus on what the student will know or do as a result of learning the given lesson. A large pool of possible learning activities ranging from simple class-wide assignments and role-plays to research papers and field trips will be included and developed to fit almost any class structure or timeline.

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These materials are under development at Mississippi State University through the joint efforts of project directors Drs. Matt R. Raven and Michael E. Newman, Professors of Agricultural Education and Experimental Statistics; Dr. Juan C. Batista, Professor of Management and Executive Director of the Agribusiness Institute; project assistants Dr. Laura A. Griffeth, Rachel C. Allen and Celeste Brignac; and the project sponsor, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

Animal Welfare

These instructional materials were developed for use by agricultural education and other teachers to develop awareness of the issues related to the uses of animals in our everyday lives. The activities are targeted for high school students but can also be used at the junior high level or for adult education programs. These materials allow a more in-depth study of issues involving animal welfare and provide hands-on, critical thinking activities allowing students to have a better understanding of animal welfare issues.

Animal welfare issues related to rural and urban settings are addressed making the materials valuable for students with varying backgrounds.

A major goal of the project was to develop student activities that inspire critical thinking, group decision-making and communication skills. These materials are divided into six areas of instruction and include:

  • A Matter of Philosophies
  • Animal and Human Relationships
  • Consumer Benefits from Animals
  • Issues Related to Animal Welfare
  • Responding to Animal Activism...Be Prepared!
  • What People Believe and Why

Each instructional area contains learner expectations, lesson outlines, teaching materials, vocabulary lists, suggested teaching strategies, and activity sheets.

The instructional materials are designed for teachers to use as a supplement for their normal course offerings. The materials can be infused into existing areas such as animal science or agricultural issues. The materials are not intended as a new curriculum. Consequently, teachers can select appropriate lessons and infuse these animal welfare materials into several classes.

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This project was directed by Dr. David Coffey at Western Kentucky University and was jointly sponsored by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, American Farm Bureau Research Foundation, American Veterinary Medical Association, Animal Industry Foundation, Beef Promotion and Research Board/National Cattlemen's Association, Hoechst-Roussel Agri-Vet Company, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, IBP Inc., National Association of Meat Purveyors, National Broiler Council, National Pork Producers, Purina Mills, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, Thoroughbred Racing Communications, Turf Publicists of America, and U.A.P. Animal Health Companies.

Applied Environmental Science

These materials were developed to assist teachers who seek to enhance the environmental consciousness of their students. The teaching materials are designed to be utilized: (a) to supplement existing instruction in agricultural education and natural resources courses, (b) as independent units of instruction on environmental concerns, and (c) as 'hands-on' learning activities to enliven the educational experience for students and teachers. As a result, students should be able to:

  • Explain the significance of environmental issues.
  • Specify recommended practices for the conservation of the environment.
  • Identify the basis for practices related to the environment which may appear to be controversial.
  • Analyze and evaluate environmental issues.
  • Identify and develop plans to address local environmental issues.
  • The Applied Environmental Science instructional materials consist of an introductory unit and seven advanced units.

The objective is to introduce students to the concepts of environmental science, encourage students to be conscious and concerned about the environment in which we live, to recognize the need to conserve our environment and its resources, and to begin to understand the interrelationships between agriculture and the environment.

The seven environmental emphasis units are structured to encourage students to investigate areas of environmental concern. The seven environmental emphasis areas are:

  • Identification and Management of Ecosystems
  • Management of Waste
  • Chemicals and the Environment
  • Soil Conservation
  • Land Uses, Regulations, and Ordinances
  • Water Quality
  • Air Quality

Each instructional plan includes the desired student outcomes, study questions for student investigation, content outline, suggested teaching procedures, sample evaluations, student learning activities, and entension learning activities structured around exploratory experiences, management activities, and issue analysis activities.

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This project was directed by Drs. Robert Birkenholz and Bryan Garton Professors of Agricultural Education at the University of Missouri. Major sponsors include Agrium U.S. Inc., American Crystal Sugar Company, Arcadian Fertilizer, Bemis Company Foundation, Bridgestone/Firestone Trust Fund, Church & Dwight Company, Ciba Plant Protection, ConAgra, Dintec Agrichemicals, DuPont Agricultural Products, Georgia-Pacific, Helena Chemical, IMC Global Operations, ISK Biosciences, Jefferson Smurfit, Kellogg, MAPCO/Thermogas, Mariani Packaging, Mississippi Chemical, NaChurs Plant Food, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Pork Producers Council, Savannah Foods & Industries, Sugai America, Tennessee Valley Authority,Terra International, Terra Nitrogen, Union Carbide, The Valvoline Company - a division of Ashland Oil, and Wetlands Division - US Environmental Protection Agency.

Aquaculture Core Curriculum

The entire set of Aquaculture Curriculum on CD-ROM. items include: five module core curriculum, how-to manuals, 16 species manuals, aquatic resources, biotechnology applications in Aquaculture and more.

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Aquaculture How To Manuals

The 8 new “how to” manuals supplement the existing aquaculture instructional materials. Manuals include mini recirculating systems, aquaponics in the classroom, aquarium aquaculture in educational environments and others.

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Aquatic Resources: Awareness, Understanding, and Uses for Educ. Purposes

This manual builds on the aquaculture instructional materials and teaches more advanced concepts, principles and practices related to water, aquatic science, aquaculture and natural resource management. Includes more than 20 stand-alone lessons and several hands-on activities to reinforce learning.

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Beef Marketing Primer

Beef marketing instructional materials were developed for use by teachers of agriculture and their students to understand the history, technical and economic principles, and practical application of marketing as it exists within the beef industry.

These materials were designed to include activities suited to secondary or post-secondary students of agriculture. Practical management strategies are presented in the instructional materials to complement the common scientific principles. The instructional materials contain many hands-on activities that are designed to enhance the student's comprehension of the subject.

The Beef Marketing instructional materials are divided into six units.

  • Marketing Functions and Institutions in the Beef Industry
  • Beef, Defining the Product
  • Demand, Supply, and Price Determination
  • Marketing of Cattle and Beef
  • Advertising and Promotion
  • International Beef Marketing

Each unit contains a list of objectives, instructional resources, teaching aides, puzzles, a vocabulary list, an interest approach, sample evaluation, and student activities.

The materials are designed to be a functional component of an existing curricula. They are not intended to be used in isolation. Instructors may opt to select certain parts of the instructional materials to enrich existing lessons in agricultural management, production agriculture, marketing, animal science, or family and consumer sciences.

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This project was directed by Drs. Jeffrey Wood and Cheryl Wachenheim at Illinois State University. Major sponsors included Cactus Feeders, Inc. and Fort Dodge Animal Health.

Biotechnology 2002 for Plants, Animals and the Environment

Second Edition
Biotechnology 2002 Trainers are ready to conduct workshops.
Trainer Information

Agricultural biotechnology is an industry that is and will continue to provide careers for students. This project is designed to provide both a comprehensive contemporary program of education for the career-bound agriculture student; and a basic program about agriculture for all students in the nation. All students will need to understand biotechnology in order to understand the agriculture industry and the products from this industry.

Instructional unit topics include:

    • Fundamentals of Biotechnology
      • Biotechnology for Plants, Animals and the Environment
      • Cells and DNA
      • Recombinant DNA
      • Selecting Genes
    • Biotechnology and Plants
      • Products of Plant Biotechnology
      • Impacts of Plant Biotechnology
      • Regulating Plant Biotechnology
      • Careers in Plant Biotechnology
      • Classical Plant Breeding
      • Gene Transfer
      • Plant Tissue Culture
      • Growth Chambers
      • Field Trials
      • Genetic Verification
    • Biotechnology and Animals
      • Products and Producers of Animal Biotechnology
      • Impacts of Animal Biotechnology
      • Animal Reproductive Techniques
      • Cloning and Genetic Engineering of Animals
    • Biotechnology and the Environment
      • Biotechnology Techniques for the Environment
      • Using Microbes to Clean Up the Environment
      • Detecting Environmental Pollutants
      • Using Plants to Clean Up the Environment
    • Additional Materials
      • Lab Procedures and Safety
      • Lab Notebooks and Reports
      • Equipment and Rules for Micropropagation Labs
      • Using the Internet to Teach Agricultural Biotechnology

The Guide focuses on applications of biotechnology in agriculture. Activities are organized around ways that people are likely to encounter biotechnology (such as the roles of technician, consumer, researcher, food producer, etc.) Activities will include opportunities to practice important skills, such as applying mathematics, practicing communications, performing basic lab skills, applying the scientific method, conducting SAEs, and participating in agriscience leadership organizations.

Each unit will require students to communicate in a variety of formats about the results of experiments, data collection, research, or their opinions on issues. Students will also critique, design and perform experiments. Career and issues information will be incorporated into each content area.

The teacher manual is divided into four units. Units include background information, concepts, processes and terms, sources and resources listings, teacher preparation sheets for lab activities, student lab activity sheets, and assignment sheets for non-lab activities.

The Biotechnology 2002 CD-ROM contains several additional resources related to biotechnology. There is a self-running presentation on biotechnology that includes sound or that can be used as a PowerPoint presentation to introduce the subject of biotechnology.

Additionally, the National Vocational Occupational Skill Standards for Agricultural Biotechnology Technicians is included on the CD-ROM.

The student manual is a subset of the teacher manual that contains the student lab information and worksheets. This is included on the CD-ROM as a separate document and can be purchased individually or in class sets in hardcopy format from National FFA Distribution.

Call National FFA Distribution at (888) 332-2668 to order your copies of the Biotechnology 2002 CD-ROM Item Number BPAECD and the Biotechnology Student Manual Hardcopies Item Number BPAESM.

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This project was directed by Elizabeth Wilson at North Carolina State University and is sponsored jointly by several organizations through the National FFA Foundation including Monsanto and Foundation for Agronomic Research and Potash & Phosphate Institute.

Community-Based Program Planning

School improvement is a topic that frequently raises concern and anxiety among professional educators. Improvement is often associated with change and change is often associated with more work. Community-based program planning (CBPP) presents a process that makes positive change possible, without increasing the already taxing workload on educators. This is achieved through the participation of a diverse group of community stakeholders in a series of visioning, strategic planning and implementation exercises. CBPP is a proven tool that can ensure agricultural education will continue to effectively prepare students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems.

Community-Based Program Planning Materials

The Community-Based Program Planning Kit includes three components:

  • CBPP Guide
  • Get Connected Partner Handbook
  • A Guide to Local Program Success (with the new Program Planning Tab)

Workshop Information

To schedule a CBPP workshop in your state, please contact Liam Brody at 703-838-5881, ext. 4335 or lbrody@teamaged.org.

Online CBPP Resources

Click on the following links to access additional CBPP resources.

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The CBPP materials were developed as a result of the Reinventing Agricultural Education for the Year 2020 initiative, which was sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as a special project of the National FFA Foundation, Inc.

Decisions & Dollars

Decisions & Dollars instructional materials were designed to upgrade instruction in financial decision making and record keeping for agricultural education.

The purpose of teaching/learning Decisions & Dollars in programs of agricultural education is to provide students a basis for making effective decisions, setting goals, assessing and solving problems, valuing financial progress and success, evaluating the management of resources and gaining skills useful in everyday life in the diverse field of agriculture.

The curriculum is divided into four main sections:

  • Introduction
  • Base Financial Records (i.e. balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flow)
  • Management Analysis (calculating and interpreting financial ratios)
  • Sample Record Book

Beginning, intermediate and advanced examples and concepts provide instructors flexibility to adjust lessons to their students' ability levels. Four diverse agricultural areas are consistent throughout the curriculum: horticulture, natural resources, production, and work experience.

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This project was directed by Dr. Jack Elliot at the University of Arizona. Project sponsors include Nationwide Insurance Foundation, Farmland Industries, National FFA Foundation Commemorative Fund, Sandoz Agro, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, William T. Kemper Foundation - Commerce Bank Trustee, United Missouri Bank, Boatmen's First National Bank of Kansas City and Flarsheim Trust, Case Corporation, Rabobank Nederland, Commerce Bank of Kansas City, Universal Dairy Equipment, Capital Agricultural Property Service, Farmland Insurance Companies, John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, The Department of Agricultural Education - The University of Arizona, and The Department of Agricultural and Extension Education - Michigan State University.

Equine Science

The Equine Science Instructional Materials were developed for use by agricultural education teachers and others to develop a working knowledge of basic scientific concepts and principles and how they relate to horses. The activities and content are targeted for high school students but can also be used at the junior high level or for adult education programs. Principles of genetics, physiology, anatomy, and reproduction are common topics in biology courses. These instructional materials address these same subjects and provide minds-on activities for students to apply the principles of equine science.

These materials can be supplemented by the Horse Industry Handbook, a project of the American Youth Horse Council. The Equine Science Instructional Materials, when used in conjunction with the Horse Industry Handbook, provide an in-depth treatment of the science and management of horses.

The materials are divided into the following seven units of instruction:

  • Foundations of Equine Science
  • Equine Anatomy
  • Equine Nutrition
  • Equine Exercise Physiology
  • Equine Diseases
  • Equine Reproduction
  • Equine Genetics

Each unit contains instructional outcomes, technical content, student activities and laboratories.

The instructional materials are designed for teachers to use as a supplement in their normal course offerings. Sections or whole units can be infused into existing areas of study such as animal science or introduction to agriculture. The materials are not intended as a new curriculum. As a result, teachers can select appropriate unit sections and activities and integrate these equine science materials into several classes.

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This project was jointly directed by Dr. Matt Raven, Professor of Agricultural Education and Experimental Statistics and Dr. Ann Rashmir-Raven, DVM at Mississippi State University. The project was sponsored by the American Quarter Horse Association.

Food For Everyone -- A teaching resource on world hunger and agriculture

These instructional materials bring international food supply issues into the classroom. Topics covered range from geography of food supply and population to the role of American agriculture in solving world hunger. Sponsored by US Agency for International Development through a partnership with Bread for the World Institute

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Landscape, Lawn Care and Golf Course Management

The green industry is a rapidly expanding industry that is and will continue to provide careers for students. This project is designed to provide both a comprehensive contemporary program of education for the career-bound agriculture student; and a basic program about the green industry for all students in the nation.

Instructional unit topics include:

  • Turfgrass Development and Growth
  • Golf Course Management
  • Turfgrass Pest Control
  • Plant Science
  • Landscape
  • Career Opportunities in Lawn and Landscaping
  • Turf Equipment and Maintenance
  • Career Opportunities in Golf Course Management
  • Water Quality
  • Waste Management
  • Wildlife Management and Habitat Restoration/Development
  • Turfgrass Irrigation
  • Sports Turf
  • Lawn Care and Business
  • Turf Competitive Activities

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This project is being directed by Dr. Haibo Liu and Dr. James Martin at Western Kentucky University and is sponsored jointly by the Northwest Turfgrass Association, The Scotts Company, The Toro Company Foundation, United States Golf Association Foundation, and Syngenta formerly Zeneca Professional Products.

Maximizing Economic Yield

Maximizing Economic Yield (MEY) instructional materials were developed for use by agriculture teachers and others to explain the concept of maximum economic yield production. The activities are targeted for high school students, but can also be used for adult education programs.

The instructional materials were designed for teachers to use as a supplement in their normal course offerings. The lessons can be infused into existing areas of study, such as crop science, plant science, soil science, and agricultural business management. The materials are not intended as a new curriculum. Consequently, teachers may select appropriate lessons and include them in several agricultural classes.

The MEY materials are divided into five units of instruction:

  • Fundamentals of Maximum Economic Yields (MEY)
  • Maximizing Economic Yields and Environmental Conservation
  • Nutrient Management to Obtain Maximum Economic Yield
  • Cultural Practices to Obtain Maximum Economic Yield
  • Maximum Economic Yield for Specific Crops

Each unit contains a list of objectives, suggestions for infusing the materials into existing curricula, teaching materials, suggested teaching strategies, and a vocabulary list. Technical information is provided for teachers and students in each unit, as well as suggested student activities and experiments.

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The MEY project was directed by Dr. Jeff Moss and sponsored by IMC Global Operations, Foundation for Agronomic Research, and Freeport-McMoran.

No-Till Management

No-Till Management instructional materials were developed for use by teachers of agriculture and their students to understand the methods of implementing a conservation farming technique, namely no-till agriculture.

The curriculum was designed to includes activities suited for secondary or post-secondary students of agriculture. In many instances, the materials may be readily adapted for use with adult learners as well. Many management strategies are presented in the lessons as well as common scientific principles. The instructional materials contains many hands-on activities that are designed to enhance the student's comprehension of the subject.

The No-Till Management materials are divided into seven modules.

  • No-Till Defined
  • No-Till Fundamentals
  • Equipment Requirements
  • Cropping Systems
  • Use of Fertilizers and Chemicals in No-Till Farming
  • Pest and Disease Control
  • Economics of No-Till

Modules include: objectives, instructional resources, evaluation, student activities, vocabulary lists, teaching aides, and interest approaches.

The No-Till Management materials are designed to be a functional component of an existing curricula. They are not intended to be used in isolation. Instructors may opt to select certain parts of the curriculum to enrich existing lessons in agricultural management, production agriculture, soil science, or agricultural issues.

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The No-Till Management project was directed by Dr. Jeffrey Wood and sponsored by BASF Corporation.

Rice Production and Marketing

This resource relates to one of the world’s most significant food sources and addresses all of the necessary skills and practices of modern rice production and marketing strategies.

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Thoroughbred Education

Integrating academic and vocational education through special events and activities.
Look for Thoroughbred workshop sessions at state and national meetings this fall.

The Thoroughbred Education Project is an initiative increase collaboration between vocational and academic teachers, integrate and reinforce academic skills taught in vocational classes, promote the study of current issues through research of factual information, and provide a pilot program that can be expanded to a nationwide effort.

Linkages
This project will link vocational teachers and students with their academic counterparts and will provide opportunities for school outreach to the local community. Vocational teachers and students will be asked to collaborate with academic teachers and students and share ideas, knowledge and resources. Students will be required to identify and contact local resources and at the same time research through various means state, regional, national and global resources related to Derby activities. Disciplines involved with the project will include but not be limited to: agriscience, drafting, music, science, English, computer science, home economics, journalism, mathematics, social studies, economics, and business education.

The specific educational objectives for this project are to enable students to:

  • Understand and explain basic academic principles related to Derby activities.
  • Identify the potential impact of the Derby on society.
  • Seek factual information needed to analyze and solve problems.
  • Work together using the team concept of problem solving.
  • Apply academic skills to solve "real-life" problems.
  • Identify careers related to various Derby activities.

Instructional materials will include student driven activities designed for independent and group learning that encourage higher levels of creativity and problem solving. These activities will be designed to reinforce basic academic skills and provide opportunities for student teamwork in creative thinking and problem solving.

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This project is being directed by Dr. David Coffey at Western Kentucky University. Project sponsors include: Bertram N. Linder Foundation, Inc., Churchill Downs Incorporated, Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, Grayson - Jockey Club Foundation, The Jockey Club Information Systems, Keeneland Association, Inc., Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, Inc., Oak Tree Racing Association, Oxley Foundation, and United Thoroughbred Trainers Association, Inc.

Tilapia: Reproduction & Growth in Educational Environments

This manual provides an overview of the importance of tilapia aquaculture around the world and the U.S. and introduces students to tilapia culture while improving their understanding of aquaculture in general.

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