SANTA CRUZ COUNTY REGIONAL OCCUPATIONAL PROGRAM AG PRODUCTION/LANDSCAPE

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1 SANTA CRUZ COUNTY REGIONAL OCCUPATIONAL PROGRAM AG PRODUCTION/LANDSCAPE CBEDS Title: Crop and Soil science CBEDS Number: 4010 Career Path: Agriculture and Natural Resources Course Description: This course is an integration of soil science, plant physiology and the effects of water, temperature and climate on plant growth. Students cultivate vegetables, fruits and flowers both in the field and in the greenhouse. The course teaches that Ag Production integrates knowledge from chemistry, biology, resource conservation and economics. Job Titles: Job Title DOT codes Groundskeeper Horticultural Worker Plant care Worker Gardener Groundskeeper, Commercial Garden Worker Landscape Specialist Lawn Service Worker Horticultural Specialty Grower Prerequisites: None COURSE OUTLINE Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills necessary for employment or further education and training: I. Career Preparation Standards (Note: additional hours for Career Preparation Standards are integrated into instruction in content area standards). A. Understand how personal skill development--including Hours Classroom 20 Hours Intern

2 positive attitude, honesty, self-confidence, time management, and other positive traits--affect employability. 1. Demonstrate an understanding of classroom policies and procedures. 2. Define business ethics and explain the importance of ethical standards in the business environment. 3. Discuss the laws that apply to sexual harassment and discuss tactics for handling harassment situations. 4 Discuss importance of personal skills in a business environment i.e. positive attitude, self-confidence, honesty, perseverance, self-discipline. 5. Define personal hygiene and identify acceptable business attire for the industry. 6. Prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. B. Understand principles of effective interpersonal skills, conflict resolution and negotiation. 1. Discuss and demonstrate the dynamics of conflict resolution and negotiation and their importance within the business environment. 2. Work cooperatively, share responsibilities, accept supervision and assume leadership roles. 3. Demonstrate cooperative working relationships and prepare etiquette across gender and cultural groups. C. Understand the importance of good academic skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the workplace. 1. Recognize the importance of good reading, writing, math, and keyboarding skills in the business environment and implement a plan for selfimprovement as needed. 2. Apply estimation, measurement and calculation skills to business applications, including whole number math, decimals and fractions, counting and monetary function and use of tables as appropriate to industry. 3. Read, write and give directions. 4. Exhibit critical and creative thinking skills and logical reasoning skills. 5. Recognize problem situations; identify, locate and organize needed information or data; and propose, evaluate and select from alternative solutions. D. Understand principles of effective communication. 1. Read and implement written instructions, technical manuals, written communication and reference books. 2

3 II. 2. Present a positive image through verbal and nonverbal communication through use of appropriate methods. 3. Demonstrate proper etiquette in business communications, including an awareness of requisites for international communications (i.e. customs, time zones) 4. Demonstrate writing/editing skills i.e. write, proofread, and edit business correspondence, use correct grammar, punctuation, capitalization, vocabulary and spelling and select appropriate forms of technology for communication. E. Understand occupational safety issues, including avoidance of physical hazards 1. Discuss and implement good safety practices, including avoidance and reporting of physical hazards in the work environment, safe operation of equipment and proper handling of hazardous material. 2. Apply sound ergonomic principles in organizing one s workspace. F. Understand career paths and strategies for obtaining employment 1. Explore career opportunities and projected trends, investigate required education, training and experience, and develop and individual education plan. 2. Identify steps for setting goals and writing personal goals and objectives. 3. Examine aptitudes related to career options; relate personal characteristics and interests to educational and occupational opportunities. 4. Develop job acquisition documents, including job application, resume, appropriate cover and followup correspondence and portfolio. 5. Identify and demonstrate effective interviewing techniques. G. Understand and adapt to changing technology. 1. Identify and demonstrate use of computer hardware and peripherals. 2. Identify and explain use of computer software. 3. Identify and use operating systems. 4. Input and retrieve information. 5. Understand the importance of lifelong learning in adapting to changing technology. Agriculture Production Skills A. Horticulture: An Introduction. 12 3

4 1. Explore the horticulture field. a) Explore the size, scope, and economic importance of the horticulture industry. b) Explore employment possibilities, educational requirements and professionalism. 2. Understand plant taxonomy. a) Study the binomial system of naming plants. b) Study taxonomy chart-kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species, variety or cultivar. B. Understand plant science Parts of the plant and their functions a) Describe the purpose of the four main parts of plants: leaves, stems, roots, and flowers. b) Identify leaf forms, leaf arrangements. c) Explain the process of pollination. d) Explain the process of photosynthesis. e) Explain the major structural difference between. 2. Environmental requirements for good plant growth. a) Factors that affect the roots of plants. b) Describe the differences between clayey, sandy, and loamy soils and identify a sample of each. c) Explain how to improve soil drainage and how to increase moisture retention of soil. d) Understand the ph value of soil. e) Know above ground environment factors that affect plants: light, temperature, humidity, plant diseases, insects, and gases. 3. Understand growth stimulants, retardants, and rooting hormones. a) Know the impact of auxins, gibberellins, cyutokinins and inhibitors on plants. b) Demonstrate the use of rooting hormones on cuttings. c) Demonstrate how rootstock is used in dwarfing fruit trees. d) Explain why chemical retardants are applied to floral crops. C. Understand plant propagation Identify the parts of a seed and the functions of each. 2. Identify the seed coat, endosperm and the embryo. 3. Differentiate between indirect and direct seeding methods. 4. Prepare a medium for seeds, sow seeds, and provide the proper conditions for germination. a) Identify components for a good germination medium. 4

5 i. soil ii. construction grade sand ii. peat moss iv. sphagnum moss v. perlite vi. vermiculite vii. jiffy mix 5. Water, fertilize, and harden off seedlings before transplanting. 6. Demonstrate the ability to transplant seedlings into flats or pots. a) Keep a greenhouse log of transplanting success rate. 7. Select plants suitable for propagating by use of cuttings and determine if the maturity of wood is correct for optimum rooting. 8. Propagate at least ten softwood or semi-hardwood plants from cuttings following the correct procedure. a) Collect wood from the parent plant. b) Make the actual cutting. c) Treat the cutting with the proper rooting hormone. d) Prepare the rooting medium and place the cutting and care for the cutting after it is placed in the medium. 9. Demonstrate the understanding of the technique of tissue culture. 10. Describe the processes of separation and division and explain the major difference between the two. 11. Identify the five specialized plant structures used in propagation and explain how each are used. 12. List five plants propagated by separation or division and the type of specialized structure used. 13. Identify Whip Graft, Side Veneer Graft, and Cleft Graft. 14. Name at least three plants commercially propagated by budding. 15. Describe the steps in the budding process and the differences between propagating by budding and chip budding. D. Demonstrate greenhouse and crops management Demonstrate the importance of Poinsettias for the floral industry. 2. Demonstrate knowledge of techniques for growing poinsettias. a) Planting and spacing requirements. 5

6 b) Temperature and light conditions c) Pinching the terminal end of the plant d) Proper soil mixture e) Use of fertilizers and growth regulators f) Transporting and handling of poinsettias. g) Controlling pests and diseases. 3. Demonstrate the importance of Chrysanthemums for the floral industry. 4. Determine the proper cultural requirements, such as fertilizing and watering, for production of a marketable chrysanthemum crop. 5. Be able to regulate formation of chrysanthemum flower buds by control of night length. 6. Outline in writing a growing schedule for potted mums for any preseleceted market date. 7. Prepare and select the proper medium for growing lilies and explain the percentage of each material in it. 8. Demonstrate which growth regulators are used, disease control methods and a fertilizer schedule for Easter lilies. E. Demonstrate integrated pest management Explain what biological control and integrated pest management means. 2. Outline a pest control program, explaining when biological control should be used. 3. Understand the relationship of Integrated Pest Control as it pertains to organic gardening and the interrelationship with soil, air, and water. 4. Demonstrate the knowledge of insects and diseases that are being controlled through biological means. F. Demonstrate container-grown plants Prepare a terrarium for planting with suitable medium and placing with the proper drainage material in the container. 2. Identify plants suitable for terrarium, and cultural conditions that affect the growth of plants in the terrarium. 3. Explain the purpose and general technique of bonsai. 4. Make a bonsai container, plant a bonsai, and demonstrate proper care and pruning of plant. 5. Explain the importance of plantscaping in the business field. 6. Describe the best cultural conditions (water, light, and soil requirements) for selected interior plants of your choice. 6

7 7. Describe major concerns in caring for interior plants and methods of watering interior plants. 8. Explain advantages and disadvantages of container growing shrubs and trees. 9. Explain commonly grown shrubs and trees, growing conditions and marketing of the finished product. G. Demonstrate plant use in landscaping Identify the uses of annual flowers in the landscape. 2. Design a bed layout using annual flowers. 3. Explain the growing conditions for care of annuals. a) Soil preparation b) Transplanting techniques c) Aftercare of annual flowers 4. Explain the difference between annual and perennial flowers. 5. Understand the environmental factors that affect perennial gardens. 6. Explain the uses of Ornamental grasses, Vines, and Bamboo in the landscape. 7. Explain the physical differences, landscape uses and growth requirements for narrow leaf and broadleaf evergreens. 8. Describe the major functions of deciduous and evergreen trees and scrubs in the landscape. 9. Be able to select trees that fulfill different functions. 10. Demonstrate the proper planting technique for bare root, balled, burlapped, and containerized trees and shrubs. 11. Design a landscape using trees, shrubs, flowers, bulbs with a walkway and focal points. 12. Identify the major types of ground covers. 13. Describe the cultural requirements of ground covers and uses of ground covers. 14. List the main uses of bulbs in the landscape. 15. Describe the soil, fertilizer, planting depth, spacing of bulbs, and care for bulbs after they have flowered. 16. Describe the technique for forcing bulbs. 17. List reasons for pruning shrubs and trees. 18. Describe the four types of pruning: a) Thinning b) Heading back c) Renewal pruning d) Root pruning 19. Explain how the correct time to prune is determined. 20. Recognize basic pruning equipment, the uses and 7

8 safety measures. 21. Explain the differences in the professions of Landscape architects, Landscape contractors, and Landscape maintenance contractors. 22. List the principles of landscape design and landscape maintenance. 23. Explain the concept of xeriscaping and the importance in the landscape field. H. Demonstrate knowledge of a vegetable garden Identify what is required for the location of a vegetable garden. 2. Draw a garden plant to scale that includes at least four vegetables including successive plantings for fall, winter, and spring. 3. Explain the major differences between clayey, loamy, and sandy soil. 4. List varieties of vegetables successful in our zone area. 5. Understand what the planting zone map is used for. 6. Demonstrate the difference between vegetables direct seeded and those that must be seeded indoors for transplanting. 7. Identify plants that are cold hardy and cold tender. 8. Determine the watering and fertilizing requirements for different vegetables and establish an organic weed control program. 9. Recognize some of the common pests that attack vegetables. 10. Select locally grown vegetables and plant and grow them to marketable quality. I. Demonstrate holiday crafts and floral designs Identify different plant materials used in holiday decorations. 2. Construct an evergreen wreath. 3. List different fruit and nut pods that can be used in the construction of a Della Robbia wreath. 4. Construct a dried flower arrangement using pressed flowers. 5. Construct a pressed flower arrangement on a candle. 6. Construct a corsage. TOTAL HOURS Maximum hours of instruction: Classroom_360 Internship 540 Note: Community classroom/coop hours will vary in number and area of concentration within the scope of the course outline, depending upon community training site, interest and skill of student. 8

9 Instructional Strategies: Lecture, simulations, guest speakers, field trips, role play, demonstration, lab, and applied practice. Instructional Materials: Texts: Introductory Horticulture, Reiley, H. Edward and Shry, Carroll Jr.; Delmar Publishers, 5th edition, 1997 Gaia: An Atlas of Plant Management, Meyers, Norman; Doubleday Publishers, revised edition, 1996 Resource Materials: The Why and How of Home Horticulture, Bienz, D.R.; W.H. Freeman and Company, 2nd edition, 1993 The Nature and Properties of Soils, Brady, Nyle C.; Prentice Hall, 10th edition, 1990 Landscaping Principles & Practices, Ingels, Jack E.; Delmar Publishers, Inc,. 4th edition, 1992 Ornamental Horticulture Science, Operations & Management, Ingels, Jack E.; Delmar Publishers. Inc., 2nd edition, 1994 The Complete Book of Herbs, Clevely, Andi & Richmond, Katherine; Anness Publishing Limited, 1995 Organic Gardening Magazine, Horticulture Magazine, CA Ag Alert Newsletter Articulation: UC A-G: This class is approved for credit at High School/s. Academic Credit: science credit Industry/licensing requirement met: Certificates: Course completion certificate attached. Competencies should match major sections of the course outline. Revised: 3/19/02 9