Examines proven strategies designed to help learners achieve greater personal, academic, and professional success. Learners will apply personal responsibility thinking and behaviors; self- management, awareness, and motivation strategies; as well as interdependence skills to develop a proactive life plan.

Familiarizes learners with the Agriculture Center of Excellence and standard operating procedures. Learners will begin to develop a strategic college plan. Learners will be exposed to the various opportunities available throughout their program of study. This course will acquaint students with basic husbandry practices for dairy animals to prepare them for future courses; learners will work directly with the dairy animals throughout the program.

Introduces the basics of livestock management. Examines management of the dairy herd with concentration on nutrition, feedstuff's classification, reproduction, genetics, animal behavior, animal health and sustainable agriculture practices. Learners explore basic husbandry and care procedures for animals. This is offered in an online format.

Perform animal health practices and activities as it relates to calves. This hands-on lab provides learners with firsthand exposure to the duties, responsibilities and management opportunities that are present on a dairy operation. Each lab will build upon the skills from the previous lab. In this first lab, the focus will be on calf care; pre-birth through newborn calf care. Learners will have the opportunity to explore and analyze best management practices in calf feeds, nutrition, vaccinations, veterinary needs and housing options.

Exposes students to biology and other life sciences. Through a variety of practical learning activities, learners will investigate basic biological principles emphasizing cell biology, fundamental processes of life, introductory genetics, and biodiversity. Learners will use the scientific method to complete basic research. Animal Science is diverse and the program offers flexibility for students to explore both basic and applied aspects of animal biology.

Introduces topics that relate to working in a farm environment. Topics include personality, family relationships, decision-making and social relations as they apply to everyday living and working in an ongoing family operation or entry into the non-family farm job market. Personnel management techniques include: development of goals, determining personnel needs, finding and recruiting the right people, performance appraisals, training, promotions and terminations.

Examines basic soil and plant relationships. Soil fertility is important in considering the role that the soil plays with regard to the availability of nutrients to plants. Learners will study nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as other macro and micro nutrients. Learners will practice appropriate sampling, analyzing and interpretation of soil sample results. Various soil management practices will be discussed, along with soil physical, chemical and biological properties. The soil profile will be examined.

This course is designed to review and develop fundamental concepts of mathematics pertinent to the areas of: 1) arithmetic and algebra; 2) geometry and trigonometry; and 3) probability and statistics. Special emphasis is placed on problem solving, critical thinking and logical reasoning, making connections and using calculators. Topics include performing arithmetic operations and simplifying algebraic expressions, solving linear equations and inequalities in one variable, solving proportions and incorporating percent applications, manipulating formulas, solving and graphing systems of linear equations and inequalities in two variables, finding areas and volumes of geometric figures, applying similar and congruent triangles, converting measurements within and between U.S. and metric systems, applying Pythagorean Theorem, solving right and oblique triangles, calculating probabilities, organizing data and interpreting charts, calculating central and spread measures and summarizing and analyzing data. Keywords: Math, College Math, Fundamental Math

Prepares learners with a solid background in producing quality milk and utilizing good herd health management practices. Learners will be introduced to milking systems and components, milk procedures, sanitation, diseases, udder anatomy and milk secretion. Learners will collect milk samples and analyze milk culture reports as they relate to quality milk and animal health. Learners will be exposed to milk quality practices globally.

Perform animal health practices and activities as it relates to heifers. This hands-on lab provides learners with firsthand exposure to the duties, responsibilities and management opportunities that are present on a dairy operation. Each lab will build upon the skills from the previous lab. In this second lab, the focus will be on heifer care; six months through calving age. Students will have the opportunity to explore and analyze best management practices in heifer feeds, nutrition, vaccinations, veterinary needs and housing options.

Explores infectious and non-infectious disease processes of livestock. Emphasis will be placed on bovine diseases, however certain diseases of sheep, goats, camelids, cervids, and swine may also be covered. Disease etiology, symptoms, transmission, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control will be covered. Population dynamics and the financial impact on herds will be evaluated. Proper reporting requirements of federally regulated diseases will be discussed. Zoonotic diseases that are of concern for people working with livestock species will be accentuated.

Examines the history of Agriculture Insurance. Develops insurance terminology and understanding. Examines the current USDA policies and programs.

Provides learners with hands-on use and application of dairy management software used in industry. Specific topic areas covered on the use of dairy management software application are: animals, tools, design, data entry, reports, inventory and veterinary herd check.

Focuses upon developing speaking, verbal and nonverbal communication and listening skills through individual presentations, group activities and other projects. Keywords: Oral, Oral Comm, Comm, Speech

Develops writing skills which include prewriting, drafting, revising and editing. A variety of writing assignments are designed to help the learner analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas and format and design documents based on subject matter and content. Also develops critical reading and thinking skills through the analysis of a variety of written documents. Keywords: Written Comm, Comm, Writing

Learners develop and apply skills in all aspects of the writing process. Through a variety of learning activities and written documents, learners employ rhetorical strategies, plan, organize and revise content, apply critical reading strategies, locate and evaluate information, integrate and document sources, and apply standardized English language conventions.Keywords:English Comp, Comp 1, E Com, English 1, English

Perform animal health practices and activities as it relates to transition cows. This hands-on lab provides learners with firsthand exposure to the duties, responsibilities and management opportunities that are present on a dairy operation. Each lab will build upon the skills from the previous lab. In this third lab, the focus will be on transition cow care; six weeks prior to six weeks post calving. Students will have the opportunity to explore and analyze best management practices in transition cow feeds, nutrition, vaccinations, veterinary needs and housing options.

Examines the principles of farm crop production, including classification, growth and management of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, barley, as well as other Midwest crops. Learners will explore soil preparation, plant physiology, planting dates, planting depths and seeding rates for various types of crops. Furthermore, learners will engage in the study of plant structure identification. Different types of equipment used in planting and harvesting will be explored and discussed during the course.

Explores grid sampling sizes, plant nutrient analysis, CEC, base saturation and nutrient management planning. Learners will apply classroom theory through hands-on activities such as grid sampling, plant identification and pest identification. Furthermore, learners will gain a greater understanding of plant nutrient testing and the implication of soil sampling test results. Learners will examine soil conservation practices, soil nutrition and pesticide application.

Analyze the nutritional needs of dairy cattle during each stage of their life. Topics covered include: roles of digestive nutrients, nutritional requirements at various growth stages, relationship between forage quality and nutrition, ration balancing through calculation of feed and dry matter intake. Learners explore various methods of feeding dairy animals, including grazing system principles. Learners evaluate the use of dairy nutrition feed technologies.

Expands on learner’s ability to demonstrate skills learned throughout the program. This course will help students prepare for career related employment as they gain on-the-job experience. During the internship, the learner, instructor and internship site representative will be communicating on the strengths and opportunities for improvement of the learner. Internship experiences for this course may be farm or a variety of agriculture career fields.

Perform animal health practices and activities as it relates to lactating cows. This hands-on lab provides learners with firsthand exposure to the duties, responsibilities and management opportunities that are present on a dairy operation. Each lab will build upon the skills from the previous lab. In this fourth lab, the focus will be on lactating cows. Students will have the opportunity to explore and analyze best management practices in lactating cow feeds, nutrition, vaccinations, veterinary needs and housing options.

Introduces the key concepts that a businessperson needs to understand. Learners explore three primary financial statements: the balance sheet, the income statement and the cash flow statement. Application of accounting processes: cash and accrual methods, recording business transactions, making a trial balance, creating financial statements and keeping records. Examination of various benchmarks utilizing financial statements.

Introduces learners to the work environment of an agriculture equipment technician. Safety and the use of basic hand and power tools will help the learners work safely and efficiently. Additionally, learners will cover various types of equipment safe operation both in a shop and farm environment. Learners will be completing agriculture equipment driving examination.

Examines the behavior of individual decision makers, primarily consumers and firms. Topics include choices of how much to consume and to produce, the functioning of perfectly and imperfectly competitive markets, the conditions under which markets may fail, and arguments for and against government intervention. The student applies the fundamental tools of economics to real world problems.

Explores the relationship between the general principles of psychology and our everyday lives. Students are given the opportunity to achieve a deepened sense of awareness of themselves and others. This understanding enables students to improve their relationships with others at work, in the family and in society. Keywords: Psych, Relationships, Human Relations, Hr psych

This introductory course in psychology is a survey of the multiple aspects of human behavior. It involves a survey of the theoretical foundations of human functioning in such areas as learning, motivation, emotions, personality, deviance and pathology, physiological factors and social influences. It directs the student to an insightful understanding of the complexities of human relationships in personal, social and vocational settings. Keywords: Psych, Intro to Psych

Explores basic entrepreneurial concepts, identifying resources that may assist the agriculture business and family in meeting their goals. Applies theory in the development of a business plan: managing risk, budgeting, financial resource acquisition and business structure. Learners explore various techniques and alternatives used in operating an agriculture business.

Expands learner’s ability to manage a dairy herd with concentration on breed identification, reproduction, genetics including linear appraisal and selection indexes, calving management and record keeping systems.

Apply artificial insemination concepts through hands-on application.

Introduces the commodity futures markets, with information on contract specifications, exchanges, basic trading information and fundamental and technical market information. Furthermore, time will be spent on the basic phases of grain marketing from the farm to the elevator, including fundamental market information, elevator storage policies, shrinkage, blending, moisture discounts, price spreads, opportunity cost and developing an enterprise marketing plan.

Examines milking technologies available for use on modern dairy farms. Learners investigate both milking parlor systems and robotic milking facilities. Students complete 12 hours of additional hands on training at the NTC Agricultural Center of Excellence.

Examines various barn designs and layouts in order to ensure the well-being of food producing animals. Learners will explore a variety of best practices pertaining to barn design for milk production, animal comfort and reducing animal stress. 

Introduces learners to the study of diversity from a local to a global environment using a holistic, interdisciplinary approach. Encourages self-exploration and prepares the learner to work in a diverse environment. In addition to an analysis of majority/minority relationships in a multicultural context, the primary topics of race, ethnicity, age, gender, class, sexual orientation, disability and religion are explored. Keywords: Diverse, Diversity

Introduces students to the basic concepts of sociology: culture, socialization, social stratification, multiculturalism and the five institutions, including family, government, economics, religion and education. Other topics include demography, deviance, technology, environment, social issues, social change, social organization and workplace issues.Keywords:Soc, Intro to Soc