Agriculture
Capstone
Indiana Agriculture Careers are vital to feed an ever-growing population by utilizing cutting edge technology, drones, data analytics, and bioengineering.
The Track Ahead
Potential Entry-Level Careers & Salaries
Agriculture Capstone – WBL Experience
Location: Monroe Central High School
Program Schedule: 12:19 – 3:05 PM
- Enrollment: Juniors or Seniors
- Class times will be one day per week — hybrid and/or in-person class sessions
- Work-Based Learning schedules will vary based on employer/business hours
Agriculture Capstone Overview:
The Agriculture Capstone Pathway Program provides students from RAZ-32 high schools the opportunity to complete a competency-based, paid, work-based learning experience aligned to the agriculture pathway previously completed through the Principles, Concentrator A, and Concentrator B courses. Capstone placement is based on the student’s completed pathway and includes options in Agriculture Science (Plants or Animals), Precision Agriculture, Agriculture Mechanical & Engineering, and Horticulture. Each capstone is a six (6) credit course designed to connect advanced technical instruction with authentic, real-world agricultural experiences.
Student Requirements
- Students must have earned credit in an agriculture Concentrator B course or be concurrently enrolled to participate.
- Students must provide their own transportation to/from their place of employment.
Learn more about Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resource Careers!
Indiana Mean Wage – All career and salary information cited from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Earn Credits, Gain Speed
| HS Courses | HS Credits |
|---|---|
| Ag. Science-Plants: 7262 Agriculture Research Capstone | 6 |
| Ag. Science-Animals: 7262 Agriculture Research Capstone | 6 |
| Precision Agriculture: 7236 Precision Ag. Capstone | 6 |
| Ag. Mechanical & Engineering: 7228 Agriculture Mech. & Tech. Capstone | 6 |
| Horticulture: 7232 Horticulture Capstone | 6 |
Real-World Work Experience
Students learn practical workplace skills such as problem-solving, equipment operation, data collection, communication, teamwork, and industry safety through a six-credit capstone experience that provides authentic, real-world agricultural learning opportunities while allowing students to earn Work-Based Learning (WBL) hours toward Indiana Diploma Seal requirements.
Program Components – Agriculture Capstone Pathway
NLPS Capstone Related Technical Instruction – Parts I and II
- Students will participate in completion of technical competencies as outlined for each Agricultural capstone course to complete Part I and II of the agricultural pathways as required for a six (6) credit hour capstone course.
- The RTI sessions will be held one day each week for each of the different capstone course offerings and will include project-based learning, hands-on technical training, and performance-based assessments to achieve mastery of NLPS competencies.
Work-Based Learning Experiences – Part III
- Required WBL Hours: 150 minimum (Meet the Employment Honors requirements). If a student is seeking an Employment Honors Plus Seal, the student will need to work additional hours to reach the 650 hourly requirements.
- Work Schedules: The work schedule will vary depending upon the operational hours and needs of the business/employer and the student’s availability. This means that work hours may be before, during, after school, evenings, and/or weekends.
- Employer Identification: In coordination with the Capstone instructor and the student, an appropriate work-based learning experience (employer) will be identified, preferably in or near the student’s home high school.
- Training Plan: The Capstone instructor will develop a training plan outlining the OJT competencies the student will learn, practice, and develop. Training plans will be used to monitor the student’s progress at the worksite at a minimum of every nine weeks and at the end of the semester for awarding grades or credits.
- The instructor will conduct on-site visits, ensure a Training Agreement is in place, and provide related instruction to support the student’s learning and success in their work-based placement.
Competency-Based Capstone Course Completion
- The entire Capstone course experience, Related Technical Instruction (RTI) and the on-the-job training (OJT-WBL) experience will be evaluated based on mastery of the course competencies and not based on seat time. Students who complete the RTI competencies and OJT competencies will be reviewed for completion of the program. The main purpose of the WBL Capstone courses is for student to achieve 650 WBL hours or more for the Employment Honors Plus Seal.
Guided by Experience
Meet The Pathway Instructor
RAZ-32 Career and Technical Education Instructors are experienced, credentialed educators who are dedicated to providing high school students with a positive experience as they embark on learning about a career field through hands-on learning, related academics, technical skills attainment, and engagement with local business and industry representatives.
Instructor: Mr. Lucas Lyons
- Attended Purdue University with a major in Agricultural Education and minor Crop Science.
- I am a seventh-generation crop and livestock farmer and third-generation agricultural educator, having been raised on my family’s farm and immersed in agriculture through FFA, agricultural education, and generations of family involvement in farming and teaching.
- My passion for agriculture began at a young age through my family’s lifelong involvement in farming and agricultural education. I am inspired every day by the opportunity to teach students about an industry that feeds and fuels the world while helping them connect classroom learning to real-world experiences through agricultural education, FFA, and Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs).
Where the Road Leads
When You Finish...
- Indiana Diploma Seals: Complete work-based learning hours to be eligible for the Employment Honors and/or Employment Honors Plus Indiana Seal
- Work Ready: You will develop essential employability skills through a structured workplace experience, including professional communication, teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving, time management, dependability, workplace professionalism, and adapting to employer expectations. You will gain experience working under the supervision of industry professionals, interacting with coworkers and customers, building a professional résumé and interview skills, and establishing valuable industry connections. Employer evaluations and documented competency assessments provide evidence of workplace performance, while supervisors can serve as professional references for future employment opportunities.
- Postsecondary: You will gain firsthand experience in an agricultural business environment, which will help you make informed decisions about future education, training, certifications, and degree programs. By working alongside industry professionals, you will gain a realistic understanding of career expectations, workplace environments, and specialized areas within agriculture, allowing you to better align your postsecondary plans with your interests and career goals.
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