Overview
Welcome to the Agriculture Department at Valley Career and Technical Center. We are delighted to have you! The Agriculture Department at VCTC is designed to compliment your Agricultural Education at your home high school. We are here to help you specialize and expand your knowledge in the Animal, Plant and Agribusiness Systems. Our goal is to expose students to the vast agriculture industry, develop leadership skills for them to be successful in their careers and develop a network of support for them to reply on in the future. We offer 2 different programs for our students.
Floriculture and Greenhouse Plant and Food Production: Where we grow, harvest, and design using locally grown and sourced flowers for events in a garden style design theme. We will typically design for 10 weddings a year! We also will grow a variety of food crops using hydroponics and research proven high tunnel greenhouse methods.
Livestock Management and Operating the Farm Business: Where we expand on our current livestock knowledge to be able to efficiently and safety raise food animals and implement the business side of operating an agribusiness enterprise.
Outdoor Recreation & Tourism Management and Ag Business: Learn how to enhance the quality of life for people engaging in outdoor recreational activities. Students will also explore the development and management of recreational areas and the economic benefits and environmental effects of tourism.
Course Content
FLORICUTURE/ GREENHOUSE PLANT PRODUCTION
· Basic botany
· Preparation and care of plants and flowers
· Floral design
· Plant propagation
· Principles of vegetable production and commercial crops
· Hydroponics and microgreens
· Vertical crop production
· Leadership, marketing & business management
Course Details
Floriculture (Semester 1) Greenhouse Plant Production (Semester 2)
GRADES: 10, 11, or 12
Course Length: 1 Semester for Each Course
Industry Credentials Offered
NOCTI Floriculture—Greenhouse Exam
Private Pesticide Applicators License
Course Content
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT/ OPERATING THE FARM BUSINESS
· Livestock nutrition, breeding, selection, and production
· Animal health and anatomy
· Beef, dairy, sheep and poultry industries
· Crop and soil science
· Conservation and natural resources
· Ag Mechanics
· Budgeting, financial analysis, and investment analysis
· Decision making to maximize profit
Course Details
Livestock Production Management (Semester 1)
Operating the Farm Business (Semester 2)
GRADES: 10, 11 or 12
Course Length: 1 Semester for Each Course
Industry Credentials Offered
NOCTI Exam
Beef Quality Assurance Certification
Master of Beef Advocacy
Course Content
OUTDOOR RECREATION & TOURISM MANAGEMENT/ AG BUSINESS
· Plan, promote , market and organize outdoor expeditions (i.e. hunting, fishing, hiking, canoeing) or ag tourism businesses (i.e. food festivals, event venues, trail riding, walking trails)
· Learn to manage recreational areas and enterprises safely while meeting legal requirements
· Develop landscape and site plans for recreational facilities
· Plan, construct and maintain facilities and equipment
· Evaluate and manage land, human and financial resources to support enterprises
Course Details
Outdoor Recreation & Tourism Management (Semester 1)
Ag Business (Semester 2)
GRADES: 10, 11 or 12
Course Length: 1 Semester for Each Course
Industry Credentials Offered
OSHA 10
Options After HS
Workforce
arborist, farm manager, landscaper, florist, animal breeder, poultry technician, farm manager, crop advisor, environmental compliance inspector
Local Employers: Augusta Co-op, Houff Corporation, Perdue Foods LLC, BlooMaker, Harmony Harvest Farm, Waynesboro Landscape & Garden Center
Career Certificate/ Associate Degree (2 yr) program
Virginia Tech—Ag Technology
BRCC—Biotechnology Manufacturing, Veterinary Assisting, Veterinary Technology
Dabney Lancaster CC—Ag & Forestry, Culinary Arts
Bachelor’s /Post Baccalaureate Degree (4 yr+) majors
Agriculture, Animal Science, Biology, Business, Environmental Science, Food Science, Crop & Soil Science, Botany, Landscape Design
About the Instructor
Hello! My name is Kristin Beery and I will be the instructor for Floriculture, Greenhouse and Plant Production and the Livestock Management/Operating the Farm Business courses. I graduated from Fort Defiance High School and completed the transfer program at Blue Ridge Community College. From there, I received my Bachelor’s in Animal and Poultry Sciences at Virginia Tech. I emphasized in the Poultry Production and Business Option. I stayed at Virginia Tech another year to receive my Master’s in Career and Technical Education. I taught agriculture at Wilson Middle School for 4 years and then 5 years at Riverheads High School before coming to Valley Career and Technical Center. This will be my 13th year of teaching and my 4th year at VCTC. I live on a beef and poultry farm with my husband and two little boys. I love helping students discover their passions and sharing about agriculture. In my spare time, I enjoy photography and traveling around the world! (I have been to 10 different countries and have served in Haiti 8 times!)
Email: beeryk@valleytech.us
School: 540-245-5002
Fax: 540-885-0407
