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.

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.

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.

Explores the scope of the horticulture sector, including career opportunities. 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.

Utilizing planning and space saving techniques, learners will develop a wide range of garden design options available. Additionally, Wisconsin weather should be considered when creating the garden design. Learners will outline when and where to plant and harvest cool and warm season plants.

Explores greenhouse parts, structure, and coverings along with environmental controls will be covered throughout this course. Learners will actively participate in the operation of a greenhouse. Learners will evaluate greenhouse structure and design, while participating in greenhouse site assessment.

Explore the work environment of an agriculture equipment technician. Learners will practice safe use of basic hand and power tools. Additionally, learners will cover various types of equipment safe operation in both a shop and farm environment. Learners will complete an agriculture equipment driving examination. 

Explores the fundamentals of hydroponics and growing plants using water as a growing medium. Hands-on learning activities include growing and maintaining plants in an indoor hydroponic growing facility, a bato bucket system, and vertical hydroponic gardens. Learners will discover the scientific concepts behind growing plants in hydroponic systems and become experts in alternative growing methods.

Introduces learners to pomology and its role in both global and local food systems. Students will explore the foundations of fruit crop production, with emphasis on fruit growth and development, integrated pest and disease management, and the principles of harvest and post-harvest handling. Examines how fruit physiology and production practices intersect to influence yield, quality, and market value. Throughout the semester, a different fruit or nut crop will be highlighted each week, allowing students to build a broad understanding of diverse species and cultivar selection, growing requirements, and their importance in food systems.

Introduces the principles and practices of produce merchandising for roadside stands and farmers markets. Covers methods for assessing produce quality, grading standards, and their application in marketing channels. Explores creative visual merchandising techniques and the relationships between customer behavior, effective product display, and product purchase. Examines the structure and success factors of community-supported agriculture (CSA) businesses. Students actively participate in operating farmers market stands using produce grown during the course, applying merchandising concepts in real-time.

Choosing the right plants, selecting the containers and tools, and caring for the plants throughout the growing season is covered. Small space container gardens can provide a bounty of food in a very small space.

Provides learners with hands-on experience managing a greenhouse structure on a year-round basis. Greenhouse coverings, environmental controls, and monitoring equipment will be covered throughout this course. Learners will actively participate in the operation of a greenhouse and hoop house as they determine methods of monitoring temperature, ventilation, and plant growth.

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.

Familiarizes learners with pest management practices. Pest management requires modern equipment to apply a variety of pesticides, and there is a vast array of equipment on the market. Learners will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to make an effective, safe and efficient application following label instructions. Learners will examine methods of application, equipment choices and calibration and cleaning. Learners will be prepared to take the pesticide applicator exam upon completion of this course.

Introduces learners to the commercial vegetable production industry in Wisconsin. Fresh and processing vegetable crops such as: potatoes, sweet corn, snap beans, peas, carrots, onions, cabbage, cranberries, and ginseng will be covered in this course. Learners will explore cultivar selection, equipment, cultural practices, and irrigation and fertilizer methods used to produce specialty crops.

Focuses on the long-term management and sustainability of fruit production systems. Students will study orchard establishment and growth, including site selection, soil preparation, planting systems, and the use of rootstocks. The course emphasizes pruning and training techniques for optimizing canopy structure, as well as crop-specific irrigation and nutritional strategies that enhance plant health and productivity. Students will also examine emerging trends in pomology, such as precision horticulture and climate-resilient production practices. Each week will feature an exploration of a different fruit or nut crop, enabling students to develop practical, crop-specific management skills.

Focuses on pricing strategies, signage development, branding, and storytelling as tools for customer engagement. Explores current market trends and innovations relevant to small-scale produce enterprises. Investigates floriculture merchandising and the design principles used in floral displays. Emphasizes the role of seasonality in merchandising decisions and strategies for executing compelling, market-appropriate seasonal displays. Students apply course concepts through the operation of farmers market stands featuring class-grown produce and develop a business plan for a market gardening operation.

Introduces key principles of plant biology and taxonomy, emphasizing practical applications in horticulture and agriculture. Students will learn to categorize common plant species within the Plant Kingdom using taxonomic classification systems and will explore the major garden, specialty, and agronomic crops grown across Wisconsin. Through hands-on activities, learners will diagram the anatomical structures of seeds and develop a clear understanding of the biological and environmental requirements for successful seed germination. Provides students with essential plant science knowledge applicable to gardening, crop production, and environmental studies.

Introduces students to the essential principles of plant biology and growth. Students will conduct a plant-based research project using the Scientific Method and explore plant cell structures, functions, and the stages of mitosis and meiosis. The course examines major plant organs and tissues, key metabolic processes such as photosynthesis and respiration, and the roles of plant vitamins, hormones, and nutrients. Learners will also outline water and nutrient transport, investigate plant-environment interactions, and gain foundational knowledge in plant genetics and plant breeding.

Researches the latest science-based recommendations for battling garden and field pest problems. Throughout this course, students will learn to identify pests and plant diseases. Learners will determine what corrective action should be taken, if any. Integrated pest management concepts are covered in this course.

Examines plant development and factors that affect plant growth. Through hands-on experience, text, lab and classroom activities, learners will examine environmental effects, market gardening equipment, irrigation tools, and fertilizers necessary to grow healthy, productive plants. Emphasizes crop production practices in small- and large-scale gardens, high tunnels, and a greenhouse.

Examines weed identification concepts at various plant growth stages. Learners will develop the skills necessary to characterize and identify weeds in agronomic and garden settings. Hands-on activities include creating a weed portfolio using a plant press and identifying weed species in crop fields and gardens.