After approval was given by the South Australian Education Department, the Cleve Area School Certificate in Agriculture course commenced in February, 1975. 

Support for the course from the community, staff and School Council led to the acquisition of a lease on 80 hectares of "Sims Bequest Farm" (under the control of the Department of Agriculture) 3km east of Cleve, on which the practical component of the course has since been based. 15 hectares of land owned by the South Australian Education department adjoining the school, which had been used for some time by Junior Secondary Agriculture Studies, was also utilized. 

During the years 1975 to 1982 the course evolved quickly to meet the needs of young agriculturalists on Eyre Peninsula. Students coming from places such as Ceduna, Port Lincoln, Tumby Bay, Wudinna, Whyalla, Kimba, Lock, Cowell and other pastoral areas were involved in developing the 80 hectares of land and the course concentrated on farming aspects applicable to Eyre Peninsula. Mathematics, English, Recreational Physical Education, Technical Studies, Animal Husbandry, Plant Production and Farm Management were studied. Various courses run by TAFE, intensive courses (e.g. shearing), work experience programmes and educational tours became an integral part of the course in this time. The Year 11 part of the course proved popular, with only a small percentage of students seeing the need to complete the Certificate course by doing Year 12. 

During 1983 contact with Urrbrae Agricultural High School made it clear that it would be possible and highly desirable to align courses and share some curriculum areas and ideas. It was decided that there were common areas within the two courses which could be shared and treated as a core. Other areas which had arisen in the courses due to locality and practicability would be treated as options and in doing so each school could best serve their particular students. Shortly after, Lucindale Area School, the only other approved Certificate Course in the State, became involved in the discussions and it was agreed that a joint approach toward Certificate in Agriculture studies would be beneficial to all concerned. 

In 1984 the idea of a joint approach was realised by meetings arranged through the Senior Secondary Assessment Board of South Australia. These meetings initiated the formalities of documenting a common curriculum statement. The Year 12 subjects areas arising from the SSABSA meeting were Agricultural Husbandry, Agricultural Science, Farm Mechanics, Financial Management, Agricultural Practical and one of the following - English, Agricultural Geography or Agricultural Humanities. 

Cleve has restructured many of its subject arrangements to cater for the implementation of this, but it has still been able to maintain its identity and continue to meet the needs of students on Eyre Peninsula. Work Experience, Educational Tours, Intensive Courses and Link Courses still play a major role in the Cleve Certificate in Agriculture Course. Focusing on management techniques suited to Eyre Peninsula in such areas as sheep, cattle and crops, ensures a "West Coast" flavour continues. The Year 11 component of the two year course remains as a pre-requisite for Year 12 studies. 

By 1984, well over 130 boys and girls had been involved in the Certificate in Agriculture Course at Cleve Area School. During this year, the original 80 hectares leased on Sims Bequest Farm was transferred as freehold to the South Australian Education Department, along with another 29 hectares adjoining this land. 

In 1985, 240 hectares of land was leased to the school for a five year period. This was the final parcel of Sims Bequest Farm, apart from about 50 hectares of reserve, which is to be managed by the District Council of Cleve. 

The course has continued to progress with rapidly improving facilities and equipment. Emphasis is being directed to student participation in practicals as well as increasing their individual responsibility for their actions with regard to their effect on the credibility of the course. 

In 1988 several companies became involved in the course by major sponsorship. A classroom was located on the farm and power connected. Money was made available to commence restoring the house. In 1989 further sponsorship occurred. The original homestead was re-roofed and was half restored by 1990 with the assistance of Rural Youth, Cleve Area School staff, Cleve Certificate in Agriculture Old Scholars, Apex and Lions Clubs. We have an ongoing commitment to improving facilities at Sims Farm. 

Over recent years Landcare and Sustainable Agriculture have become focuses within the Certificate programme. 

During 1991 planning was done to change aspects of the two year Certificate in Agriculture course to enable it to become a credited South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) course. SACE Agriculture commenced in 1992. The introduction of such a scheme has enabled students to get full acknowledgment for their studies at Year 11 as well as Year 12. 

1993 saw the first group of SACE students depart the certificate programme. 

Negotiations are continuing with TAFE to seek further accreditation of aspects of the Certificate in Agriculture programme. 

Also in 1993 the Rotary Club of Port Lincoln donated $1,000.00 for furniture for the Sims Farm homestead. Forbes Furniture (Port Lincoln) obliged this gesture by providing some furniture at wholesale as well as delivering it. 

The Agricultural programme at Cleve continues to have its own Biennial Information/Open Day at Sims Farm and also works closely with the Eyre Peninsula Field Days Committee.