Agricultural Science is undergoing a radical change as the citizens of the world demand a safe food source free of chemicals, growth hormones, antibiotics, and pollutants. Way Too Cool’s Agricultural Science Department will teach organic methods of raising plants and animals which are best suited to Belize’s amenable climate.

Openings: 20 students
Duration: 4 Semesters
Requirements: English reading, writing and verbal skills, math skills,
Skills Taught:

• land topography, soil, and hydrology conditions
• plant production – seed selection, planting techniques, companion planting, organics farming, specialty plants & vegetables, soil conservation, post harvest methodologies
• animal science – natural breeding, care and handling of various fowl, goats, cattle and swine
• agronomy (utilizing plants for food, fuel, feed, and fiber)
• handling of various fowl (chicken, turkey, ducks, geese, pheasant)

Semester 1
The student will be shown different ways to obtain land on which to raise crops or livestock, and how to best transform that property into agricultural use while protecting the ecology of the area. Water drainage, sources, collection, and distribution will be taught along with crop and livestock selection. 

Semester 2-4
Crops will be organic with usage or techniques such as companion planting, heritage seeds, and predatory insects. Plants such as lavender that provide versatility in use (culinary, soaps, decorative papermaking) will be cultivated along with food crops for sustainability.

Livestock will be cared for with new methods such as hog condos, a clean pen that separates the feed area, rest area, cooling pool, and sanitation area rather than the old mud bath pig sty. Studies have shown a happier hog gains weight faster on less feed, and hogs are happier in a clean pen.

We will also teach livestock selection, and niche market opportunities such as emus, rabbit, pheasant, or purebred livestock. Using livestock that has been breed for its sustainable nature. There exists, for instance, a new breed of rabbit that is described as a “German Grey” giant growing to 30 pounds, and miniature cattle that actually produce more beef per acre each year.

As a business in agriculture takes very accurate record-keeping skills, there will be an emphasis on math & writing skills, as well as regular interval entry importance. The business end also includes instruction on how to get one’s product to market and at what level in the market (for Instance, sell cashews, or sell cashew butter for more, or SEU candies made from cashew butter for even more).