-
Jessie ShaferAgricuture Mechanics TeacherE-mail shaferj@selsd.com814-662-2741 ext 2170
Have You “Herd”? You Should Take an AG Class!!
The Salisbury Elk Lick School District is located in a small rural community in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, located in the southwestern part of the state. The High School consists of round two hundred students from seventh to twelfth grade. Of the total high school population the agricultural program on average consist of ten students from grades ninth to twelfth. The Salisbury Elk Lick Agriculture program is a part of the National, Pennsylvania, and Somerset County FFA Associations.
The agriculture mechanics and production program at Salisbury Elk Lick High School presents students with the opportunity to partake in hands-on and career oriented experience. Student opportunities include engaging in Construction, Horticulture/Floral Design, Livestock Production, Power Equipment and Repair, Veterinary Medicine, and Welding courses. Each program prepares students for careers by attaining various industry certifications as well as networking with local professionals.
The Salisbury Elk-Lick FFA Chapter formally known as the Mt. Davis FFA maintains one hundred percent membership, as very student 9th -12th grade enrolled in an agricultural course must also be an active member. Students in grades 7th and 8th are introduced to the FFA Organization through activities and lesson once a week via “FFA Fridays”. Beyond attending monthly meetings active members take part in County, Regional, and State career development events ranging from livestock evaluation to small gas engine repair and tractor driving. Members also participate in leadership development events, conventions and conferences, as well as exhibit livestock at the same levels. As a chapter they strive to serve our community by completing at least two community serve projects throughout the school year, partnering with other community organizations such as the Lions Club and Farm Bureau.
The program is deeply rooted in the community as fifty to sixty percent of program graduates go into the local workforce. As such the program works very closely with these future employers through the implementation of a mentor program for grades ninth to eleventh as well as a senior internship program. Several of the programs mentors and or internship sites also serve as active members of the programs local and occupational advisory committees. These partnerships enable the agricultural program to endow learners with 21st century skills needed to achieve success in their endeavors, in the areas of agricultural conservation, education, management, manufacturing, and production.
Career Pathway Students: 7th & 8th grade students must take Discovery and Introduction to Agriculture courses to select an agriculture education career pathway. Students in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades must complete at least 5.5 credits over their high school career to complete a career pathway. Each school year, students should select a minimum of two courses. In 12th grade, an Ag Internship is available for students who have participated in at least three years of Agriculture classes. As suggested per the National and State the agricultural program follow the three circle model grading policy; Classroom/Lab grades are worth 40%, FFA participation is worth 30%, and SAE records through the AET system are worth 30% of a student’s final class average.
Vision:
The Salisbury Elk-Lick Agricultural Program will be one of the areas leading suppliers of skilled employees by providing hands-on and career oriented experience outlined by the tree circle model of agricultural education in everything we do:
- Engaging with our students, stakeholders, and partners in the local area and cross the state.
- Integrating our learning, discovery, and engagement missions.
- Working across disciplines in creative and productive ways.
- Incorporating goal setting techniques with students to help them achieve expectations.
- Engaging students in developing problem-solving, critical thinking and teamwork skills.
Mission:
The Salisbury Elk-Lick Agriculture program is committed to all students discovering an appreciation for agriculture in the name of producing smarter consumers alongside better producers and skilled workers.
Core Values:
Agriculture Education Career Pathways
General Agriculture Pathway: CIP 01.0000
Grade
Pathway Courses
Other Electives
7th
Discovering Agriculture
8th
Introduction to Agriculture/Horticulture
9th -10th
Animal Science
Natural Resources and Ecology
Leadership/Career Development
Power Equipment and Repair
Green House Management/Floral
Independent Study/ SAE
11th -12th
Equine Science
Veterinary Science
Senior Agriculture Internship
Agriculture Construction
Green House Management/Floral
Independent Study/ SAE
Agriculture Mechanics Pathway: CIP 01.0201 (Program Profile)
Grade
Pathway Courses
Other Electives
7th
Discovering Agriculture
8th
Introduction to Agriculture/Horticulture
9th -10th
Power Equipment and Repair
Leadership/Career Development
Independent Study/ SAE
Natural Resources and Ecology
Green House Management/Floral
11th -12th
Welding
Agriculture Construction
Senior Agriculture Internship
Mechanics Lab Independent Study/ SAE
Green House Management/Floral
Class
Length
Credit
Prerequisite
Discovery – 7th Grade
Quarter – 2 Sections
2019-2020 & 2020-2021
0
None
Intro to Agriculture – 8th Grade
*Safe Tractor/ Machine Operation Certified
* Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow
Semester – 2 Sections
2020-2021
0
None
Animals Science - 9th - 12th
*Beef Quality Assurance Certification
*Swine Quality Assurance Certification
*Avian Technician (Draw Blood for Avian Influenza Test) Certified
* Dairy Leaders of Tomorrow
Year
(Large Animal)
2019-2020 & 2021-2022
1
Pass Intro to Agriculture
Agriculture Construction - 10th - 12th
*OSHA 10 Certification
Year
2019-2020 & 2020-2021
1
Passed Power Equipment and repair
Ag Mechanic Lab
Year
2020-2021 & 2021-2022
1
Program Completers /5.5 Ag credits
Power Equipment and Repair – 9th -10th
Year
2019-2020 & 2020-2021
1
Pass Intro to Agriculture
Independent Study/ SAE - 9th – 12th
Year
1
Only students who are unable to fit another Agricultural class into their schedule or go to the Vo-Tech in the Afternoon ( can Not be in the Forestry Program)
Equine Science - 10th -12th
Year
2021-2022
1
Pass Animal Science
Veterinary Science- 10th-12th
*CVA program
Year
2020-2021
1
Pass Animal Science
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ECOLOGY – 9th -12th
Year
2020-2021
1
Pass Intro to Agriculture
Greenhouse Management / Floral Design -9th -12th
*Pesticide /Sprayers Certification
Year
2020-2021
1
Pass Intro to Agriculture
Leadership/Career Development -9th -12th
Year
2021-2022
1
None
Welding
Year
2019-2020 & 2020-2021
1
Passed Power Equipment and repair
Senior Agriculture Internship
Year
2021-2022
1
12th grades who have participated in agriculture classes for three years