Course Description
Students will be exposed to nursery operation and landscape management practices that will prepare the
student to select appropriate plant materials, design, install, and maintain interior and exterior plantings and
hardscapes. They will also learn to maintain the facilities and equipment associated with this industry.
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Core Standards of the Course
Standard 1
Students will develop an understanding of the role of FFA in Agricultural Education Programs.
Objective 1
Understand the history and organization of FFA.
- Explain how, when, and why the FFA was organized.
- Explain the mission and strategies, colors, motto, parts of the emblem, and the organizational structure of the FFA.
- Recite and explain the meaning of the FFA Creed.
- Explain the purpose of a Program of Activities and its committee structure.
Objective 2
Discover opportunities within FFA.
- Describe how the FFA develops leadership skills, personal growth, and career success.
- Identify major state and national activities available to FFA members.
Objective 3
Determine FFA degrees, awards, and CDEs.
- Explain the FFA degree areas.
- Identify the FFA proficiency awards.
- Explain various team and individual Career Development Events.
Objective 4
Explain FFA officer duties and responsibilities.
- Describe the duties and responsibilities of chapter FFA officers.
- Explain the proper dress and characteristics of a good FFA leader.
Objective 5
Plan and organize an FFA meeting.
- Explain how to plan a meeting and develop the order of business.
- Describe how to set up the meeting room.
- Explain the parliamentary procedure used in an FFA meeting.
Standard 2
Students will understand the benefits of a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Program.
Objective 1
Determine the benefits of an SAE.
- Explain the importance of goals and career ladders.
- Define supervised horticultural/agricultural experience.
- Explain the benefits of supervised horticultural/agricultural experience programs.
Objective 2
Determine the kinds of SAE programs.
- Explain the difference between entrepreneurship and placement SAEs.
- Describe research/experimentation and exploratory SAEs.
- Explain the characteristics of a good SAE program and student responsibilities that are involved.
Objective 3
Research possible SAE programs.
- Identify career interest areas in agriculture.
- Identify skills needed for career success.
- Explain opportunities for SAE programs.
Objective 4
Plan an SAE program.
- Identify the steps in planning an SAE program.
- Identify the parts of an annual SAE program plan.
- Discuss the function of a training plan and/or agreement in an SAE program.
Objective 5
Implement SAE programs.
- Discuss the importance of keeping records on an SAE program.
- Explain the types of financial records needed to support a chosen SAE program.
- Identify standards to follow in keeping records on an SAE program.
Objective 6
Keep and use SAE records.
- Explain how SAE records are organized.
- Identify the procedures to making entries in the SAE records.
- Explain how to summarize and analyze the SAE records.
Objective 7
Make long range plans for expanding SAE Programs.
- Identify the factors that should be considered in expanding an SAE program.
- Explain how placement and ownership SAE programs may be expanded.
Standard 3
Students will demonstrate an understanding of landscape design components.
Objective 1
Identify and categorize nursery and landscape plants by common characteristics, importance and value in the landscape.
- Identify conifers and their value in a landscape
- Classify nursery and landscape plants as annuals, biennials and perennials
- Classify nursery and landscape plants as monocots or dicots
- Identify important turf-grass species and growth requirements
- Classify turf and landscape plants according to growth habit
Objective 2
Illustrate characteristics for the following common design areas.
- Public area
- Outdoor privacy area
- Service area
- Residential planting
Objective 3
Design a landscape area.
- Identify drafting equipment
- Identify and draw landscape symbols
- Select a site for the design
- Analyze the site conditions
- Plan for xeriscaping and soil erosion control
- Calculate area dimensions
- Utilize various design types (public, service, residential, etc.)
- Match plant requirements to site environmental conditions
- Identify and select seed, plant, tree and shrub varieties
- Identify and select disease-resistant and insect-resistant varieties (if available).
- Select xeric plants, if possible.
- Calculate landscaping costs
- Draw a plan to scale.
- Use computerized drafting (CAD) or drawing program (if available)
Standard 4
Students will demonstrate an understanding of nursery and landscape plant installation and maintenance.
Objective 1
Install a landscape area based on a landscape design.
- Locate and interpret planting depth and care instructions
- Determine planting schedules (fall bulbs, etc.)
- Plant seeds, bulbs, shrubs, ground covers, annuals & perennials and trees according to instructions
- Apply growth-regulating compound (root stimulators, etc)
- Demonstrate appropriate plant watering
Objective 2
Exhibit an understanding of turf installation and maintenance methods.
- Interpret a seed label
- Identify methods in planting a new lawn (hydro-seed, lay sod, seed, etc.)
- Understand proper turf watering methods.
- Use application equipment for seed, top dressing and rolling
- Demonstrate proper turf maintenance techniques
- Aerate turf
- Mow turf
- Top dressing application to turf grass
- Over-seed turf
Objective 3
Identify appropriate control methods using an integrated pest management (IPM) system.
- Identify symptoms of water stress
- Assess degree of damage due to stress factors
- Identify symptoms of nutrient deficiency
- Interpret fertilizer bag labels
- Identify components of a complete fertilizer
- Mix fertilizer solutions
- Apply fertilizers as needed to maintain nutrient levels
- Identify insects, diseases and weeds
- Identify chemical, cultural, and biological control options
- Recognize chemical injury
Objective 4
Display proper tree and shrub maintenance practices and procedures
- Prune trees
- Prune shrubs
- Wrap, stake and guy young trees
- Apply mulches
- Maintain plants on arbors and trellises
- Transplant or thin out bulbs, corms and tubers
- Compost plant debris
- Fertilize
Standard 5
Students will demonstrate irrigation system installation and maintenance.
Objective 1
Properly prepare for a sprinkler system installation.
- Analyze site conditions
- Locate water main
- Calculate area coverage dimensions
- Calculate water flow in gallons per minute (GPM)
- Identify components of irrigation systems including pipes and joints
Objective 2
Plan and install a sprinkler system.
- Plan and illustrate a distribution system
- Select components for irrigation system
- Calculate the number of heads, valves, drains and pipe length needed
- Evaluate the cost of the parts, supplies, and labor for system installation
- Identify factors involved in the bidding process
- Cut, fit and install PVC pipes and fittings
- Install valves and faucets
- Perform irrigation system test
Objective 3
Maintain a sprinkler system.
- Check for leaks or broken heads
- Replace or repair heads
- Replace or repair pipe
- Adjust sprinkler head height
Standard 6
Students will demonstrate an understanding of vehicle maintenance.
Objective 1
Complete basic tire inspections for safe tire performance.
- Check tire pressure
- Inflate tire to desired pressure
- Remove and replace flat tires
- Rotate tires
Objective 2
Pproperly service lubrication, fuel, and cooling systems of small engines.
- Refer to proper owner's manual as necessary
- Check oil level and add oil if necessary
- Change oils and filters
- Check fuel level and add fuel if necessary
- Service fuel filter assembly
- Check engine coolant and add engine coolant if necessary
- Flush cooling system
- Service air cleaner
Objective 3
Examine engine for safe operation.
- Perform basic battery maintenance
- Install new battery, if necessary.
- Clean, adjust and replace spark plugs
- Adjust or replace fan belt
- Replace cracked hoses
- Ensure hydraulic lines are connected
- Learn and use hand operating signals
- Check lights and switches
- Replace any burnt out lights
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