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 around two hundred students from seventh to twelfth grade. Of the total high school population the agricultural program on average consists 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 experiences. 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 every student in 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 lessons 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 service 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 program's mentors and or internship sites also serve as active members of the program's 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 by 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 three-circle model of agricultural education in everything we do:

1. Engaging with our students, stakeholders, and partners in the local area and across the state.

2. Integrating our learning, discovery, and engagement missions.

3. Working across disciplines in creative and productive ways.

4. Incorporating goal-setting techniques with students to help them achieve expectations.

5. 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:

Integrity, Safety, Ambition, Attitude, & Adaptability

Grading Policy

Weighted grading per National and State Agricultural grading policies, Classroom/Lab grades are worth 40%, FFA participation is worth 30%, and SAE records are worth 30% of a student’s final average for the class.

Employability and Lab Grading: An employability grade will be recorded no less than once each week and possibly twice each week depending on the amount of work taking place in the lab area.

• Students will be expected to follow safety guidelines 100% of the time.

•   It will be the responsibility of everyone to help clean up and keep the Agriculture labs and classroom in order. Even if you are not the one responsible for the mess, you are still expected to help clean it up. A clean shop is a safe, productive shop.

   

   

• Students are expected to work the ENTIRE class period. If a student completes a project/assignment before the end of the period, he/she will be responsible for cleaning the shop/equipment, picking up tools, assisting another student if needed. No one is to return to the classroom early.

• Students will be expected to put forth maximum effort each day!

Lab grades will be assigned and assessed on an individualized basis. Each student will be assigned a grade based on their work ethic, attitude, safe work practices, productivity, and ability to master certain skills. Grades will not be blanketed across the lab/class based solely on minimal participation.

FFA Meeting Grades:

Excused meeting absences include (Exempt Grade): 

• Testing (Advisor must know before the meeting)

• Field Trips (Advisor must know before the meeting)

• Workplace release

• Dual Enrollment 

• Sick Leave from the Nurse 

• Appointments during the time of the meeting 

• Absent from school the day of the meeting 

Unexcused meeting absences include (Zero Grade):

• Present at School the day of the meeting but do not attend

• ISI, Out-of-School Suspension, and/or any other disciplinary action

• Virtual Student not joining via Google Meet

Late work: Late assignments will receive a zero grade. *Accommodations will be made on all nonindustry certification testing based on individual IEP or 504

Retesting policy/procedure: All Students before going into the lab to work, students will be required to take a safety test. Only those students who score 75% or higher on the safety test will be allowed to work in the shop.  Students will have two opportunities to achieve a score of 75% if needed. If students are found cheating (talking, using notes, phones/ IPad use, or copying another’s work) on the safety exam they will NOT be permitted to retake their exam again for the 2021-2022 school years. These students and students who do not achieve a 75% or higher will be given an alternative assignment

AWS Level 1 Certification- Students will receive a maximum of two attempts on all certification exams and Welds. This is an industry-standard for certification and can not be modified to individual IEP or 504.

Elanco Veterinary Medician Certification -Students will receive one attempt on the final certification exam. This is an industry-standard for certification and can not be modified to individual IEP or 504.

OSHA 10 Hour Certification - Students will receive two attempts on the final certification exam. This is an industry-standard for certification and can not be modified to individual IEP or 504.

*The School District/Agriculture Department will ONLY pay for student to take Certification examinations Once!

* Not all certification opportunities are paid for by the district/agriculture department.

*Accommodations will be made on all nonindustry certification testing based on individual IEP or 504.

Agriculture Education Career Pathways :

Agriculture Mechanics Pathway: CIP 01.0201

Certifications: AWS SENSE Program , Lincoln Electric Education Partner Schools (LEEPS) Program  , Career Safe OSHA10

Articulation Agreements:  UNOH

Veterinary Science Pathway: None CIP

Certifications: Texas Veterinary Medical Association- CVA Certification (student cost of $135), Elanco Veterinary Medical Applications Certification

Articulation Agreements: Delaware Valley University