Introduction to Sustainability Modules Educator Guide

Lesson Plans & Curriculum

This educator guide helps agriculture teachers implement the National FFA Organization’s online “Introduction to Sustainability” modules, a series of four student-paced modules covering sustainability principles, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, sustainability in agriculture, and sustainability in everyday life. The guide provides standards alignment, module descriptions and learning objectives, instructions for accessing the modules via FFA.org or LMS download, navigation tips, and companion student journals.

At a glance

Learning objectives: Module 1: Explain the core principles of sustainability.

Module 1: Define key terms related to sustainability.

Module 1: Explore actions that individuals and companies are taking to live and work more sustainably.

Module 2: Investigate the history of the United Nations and their Sustainable Development agenda.

Module 2: Explore the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Module 2: Articulate personal priorities within the SDG framework.

Module 3: Identify key areas, industries and practices within agriculture where sustainability is important.

Module 3: Examine sustainability practices within the agriculture industry.

Module 3: Explore agricultural careers related to sustainability.

Module 4: Explore individual practices to live more sustainably.

Module 4: Develop a personal plan identifying and implementing a single action students can take to live more sustainably.
Materials: Student devices/computers

Access to FFA.org or a learning management system (LMS)

Companion student journals (Word, PDF, or Google Docs versions)
Partnership for 21st Century Skills: Communication; Critical Thinking and Problem Solving; Environmental Literacy; Information, Communications, and Technology Literacy; Global Awareness; Initiative and Self-direction; Information, Communications, and Technology Literacy; Think Creatively
Created: 04/2025 by the National FFA Organization
Assessment: Each module ends with a Knowledge Check (multiple choice, true/false, select all that apply); a passing score of 70% or better is required to unlock the module summary and certificate of completion. Knowledge checks may be retaken as needed.

Downloads & Links

Aligned Standards

AFNR Career Ready Practices

CRP.02Apply appropriate academic and technical skills. Career-ready individuals readily access and use the knowledge and skills acquired through experience and education to be more productive.
CRP.04Communicate clearly, effectively, and with reason. Career-ready individuals communicate thoughts, ideas and action plans with clarity, whether using written, verbal and/or visual methods.
CRP.05Consider the environmental, social and economic impact of decisions.
CRP.06Demonstrate creativity and innovation.
CRP.11Use technology to enhance productivity. Career-ready individuals find and maximize the productive value of existing and new technology to accomplish workplace tasks and solve workplace problems.

AFNR Cluster Skills

CS.03Examine and summarize the importance of health, safety and environmental management systems in AFNR workplaces.
CS.04Demonstrate stewardship of natural resources in AFNR activities.
CS.05Describe career opportunities and means to achieve those opportunities in each of the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources career pathways.
CS.06Analyze the interaction among AFNR systems in the production, processing and management of food, fiber and fuel and the sustainable use of natural resources.

AFNR Performance Element

CS.01Analyze how issues, trends, technologies and public policies impact systems in the agriculture, food & natural resources career cluster.

Common Career Technical Core

AG1Analyze how issues, trends, technologies and public policies impact systems in the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Cluster.
AG3Examine and summarize the importance of health, safety, and environmental management systems in AFNR businesses.
AG4Demonstrate stewardship of natural resources in AFNR activities.
AG5Describe career opportunities and means to achieve those opportunities in each of the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Pathways.
AG6Analyze the interaction among AFNR systems in the production, processing, and management of food, fiber, and fuel and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Common Core – Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects: Writing

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9.10.1Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9.10.2Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/experiments, or technical processes.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9.10.4Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Common Core – Reading in Science and Technical Subjects

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9.10.4Determinar el significado de símbolos, términos clave y otras palabras y frases de dominio específico según se usan en un contexto científico o técnico específico correspondiente a los textos y temas de los grados 9-10.

Common Core – Reading: Informational Text

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.2Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.

Common Core – Writing

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.1Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

FFA Precept

FFA-CS-M.CommunicationEffectively interact with others in personal and professional settings.
FFA.PG-I.Professional GrowthAssume responsibility for attaining and improving upon the skills needed for career success.
FFA.PG-J.Mental GrowthEmbrace cognitive and intellectual development relative to reasoning, thinking and coping.
FFA.PG-L.Spiritual GrowthDefine personal beliefs, values, principles and sense of balance.
FFA.PL-A.ActionAssume responsibility and take the necessary steps to achieve the desired results, no matter what the goal or task at hand.
FFA.PL-C.VisionVisualize the future and how to get there.
FFA.PL-E.AwarenessUnderstand personal vision, mission and goals.
FFA.PL-F.Continuous ImprovementAccept responsibility for learning and personal growth.

FFA Precepts

FFA.CS-N.Decision MakingAnalyze a situation and execute an appropriate course of action.
FFA.CS-P.Technical/Function Skills in AgricultureObtain knowledge and skills needed for a career in agriculture and related industries.

Green/Sustainability Knowledge and Skill Statements

AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 2Analyze community practice or policy development related to sustainability in AFNR.
AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 3Communicate the impact of green and sustainability principles on agriculture, food and natural resource systems.
AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 6Use green technologies and sustainability practices to maintain safe and healthful working environments that sustain the natural environment and promote well-being in the AFNR workplaces.
AFNR Career Cluster, Statement 7Demonstrate an understanding of green and sustainability trends that are impacting processes and markets in AFNR.

NASDCTEc

AGC09.02Select, research and examine critical aspects of career opportunities in one or more AFNR career pathways in order to gain an understanding of the breadth of occupations within this cluster.

Next Generation Science

HS-ETS1-3Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.