In the eighth grade agriculture class students will learn about various aspects of agriculture--production agriculture, basic plant science, agricultural mechanics, agribusiness, ag issues and ag leadership.    All eighth grade agriculture students are strongly urged to join FFA, which is an integral part of the classroom curriculum.  As FFA members, students will have the opportunity to compete in contests, such as crops judging,  meats judging, livestock judging, stockman’s competition, public speaking competition, forestry judging, and forestry field day. These contests provide an extension of  learning beyond the classroom, and offer students who excel in the contests the opportunity to earn money for college scholarships. 

 This six weeks students will be introduced to the various areas of Agriculture and the effects of Agriculture on our everyday lives. Students will learn about FFA--the student organization that is an integral part of classroom and shop instruction.  Students will be introduced to the opportunities available to them as FFA members. 

     7th Grade

     Students study Mini units relating to agriculture, (  Shop Equipment, Agricultural Orientation, Breeds of Livestock, Meats Identification, Forestry Identification, Crop Identification, Conservation, Safety in the Shop, Tool Identification, How to Measure and Determine the Centers of a measurement, Proper Safe Use and Operation of a Band Saw.) Students then take what they have learned and build a corner shelf project.  They learn how to properly stain and paint their project. Students that finish the task are allowed to build a second project to take home.

6th Grade

     Students learn how to read the rule in 1/8ths, 1/16ths, and 1/32nds.  They also learn how to measure and determine center measurements.  Students learn to identify basic shop tools being used in the wood working shop.  Students use the Miter saw to cut boards for their projects and watch a video on the Drill Press Safety and Operation.  Before being allowed to use the piece of equipment students must score a "100" on the safety test.  Students build an IQ Game, stain the project and then use the computer to create their name and the rules for the game.  Students also build a wood working project such as a Paper Towel Holder. 

FFA (Future Farmers of America) Calendar of Events 2014-2015:

State Fair of Virginia—September 30, 2014

Crops Judging--September 30, 2014

Forestry Field Day Competition-State Fair---October 2, 2014

Nelson FFA Blue Grass Show--Oct. 11, 2014

FFA-FCCLA Citrus Fruit Sale—Oct 14--Election Day 2014

National FFA Convention-Louisville, Kentucky, Oct. 27-Nov 1, 2014

Funquest Skating Trip--TBA

Wintergreen Tubing Trip--TBA

Block and Bridle Events at VA Tech--Meats Judging, Stockmans, and Livestock Judging--March 2015 TBA

FFA-FCCLA Parent-Member Awards Banquet---May 5, 2015   6:00 p.m.

Other dates will be added as they become available