Exploring Agriscience

Exploring Agriscience, 3rd edition, is a middle school text for students in Agricultural Education Programs who are enrolled in their first agriculture or agriscience class. Contents center on an exploration of agricultural industry as well as an explanation of how science concepts are used in agriculture. Topics covered include The history of agriculture; Soils, Plant structures; Entomology; Floriculture; Nursery and Landscaping; Fruit and Nuts; Row crops; Forestry; The Environment; Organic agriculture; Animal Science (including Dairy and Poultry); Aquaculture; Companion Animals; Ethics; Biotechnology; Careers; Agricultural Mechanics; Food Science; and Agricultural Education Programs. The text is illustrated with full color images that help clarify text material. Each chapter contains an insert that provides a description of an FFA Career Development Event (CDE) that relate directly to the chapter topic. Each chapter contains student learning activities that help students relate the text concepts to real life. In addition, each chapter ends with True/False, Multiple Choice and discussion questions to help evaluate student learning. An extensive teaching/learning package for the text is available. This package includes an instructor’s guide, a lab model, and a classmaster CD-ROM that contains transparency masters, lesson plans, and a computerized test bank.

Dr. Ray V. Herren has been actively involved in agriculture for most of his life. He grew up on a diversified farm, where he played a major role in the production of livestock. He obtained a bachelor of science degree in agricultural education from Auburn University, a master's degree in agribusiness education from Alabama A & M, and a doctorate in vocational education (with an emphasis in agricultural education) from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Dr. Herren has taught at Gaylesville High School, Virginia Tech, Oregon State University, and the University of Georgia in Athens, where he recently retired as head of the Department of Agriculture Leadership, Education, and Communication. In addition to serving as national president in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) alumni organization, he has served on numerous committees from the local to international level, including a national task force to develop FFA programs for middle school and the national committee for career development events. His prolific scholarly activity includes 26 journal articles, 51 invited or refereed presentations, and 12 books and manuals. He has also earned several awards for his commitment to service, including induction into the Georgia Agricultural Teacher Hall of Fame and UGA's prestigious College of Education Outstanding Teaching Award.