Farm Bill Discussion - Question #2

[kimhenry]

What authority, responsibility or support should USDA provide for school-based agricultural education and FFA?

[cwhite]

Ideas developed by the State Officers attending the 2011 State Presidents’ Conference:


“AGvocacy” Farmers Market
•Know your Farmer, Know your Food
•Farm Bill Workshop
•Technology & Educational Outreach
•Demographic

[cwhite]

Ideas developed by the State Officers attending the 2011 State Presidents’ Conference:

Updating Educators
• Workshop sponsored and presented by USDA
• Presented at Ag Teacher Conferences and/or USDA Field Research Stations
• Updates teachers on current Ag issues

[cwhite]

Ideas developed by the State Officers attending the 2011 State Presidents’ Conference:


Internships
• Through or with USDA
• More Corporations= More Opportunities
• Gets People into Facilities
• Better Opportunities for all Parties
• Could Lead to Agriscience Project

[cwhite]

Ideas developed by the State Officers attending the 2011 State Presidents’ Conference:


Agricultural Garden Challenge
• Cooperation
 Research
 Production
 Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM)
 Community
 Secretary of Agriculture or Industry Leader Visit

[KJSchmidt]

I have found it intimidating, as well as my colleagues, to pursue a career in agricultural education because of a lack of pre-graduate experience.
It is true, yes, we complete student teaching at the end of our college education, but what can we do in those summers between our freshman and senior year of college? My own personal opinion, but I feel as though I am waiting until my senior year of school to find out "do I really want to do this?" Internship and experience opportunities are limited.
Students in other majors have internship opportunities directly tied to their future career whether it is business, production or technology.

So my suggestion, in order to secure a strong future of agricultural education instructors- please research opportunities for college students to experience agricultural education as an instructor, not as a student.

[hammysam]

People who want to be involved in agriculture when they are older need to experience it! Internships and sae projects are a great start! The USDA should also offer internships.

[increase surport]

They need to increase funding and express to school districts are need to go to more Shows. my sister shows A consignment Hefier and our breed is always on her case about going to more Shows, not only that she is also in the running for TJLA top ten, but it is hard to keep her there with the few shows we get to go to. AG and FFA need to be better stressed its importance in schools, someone needs to get the word out what all LDE and SAE projects mean to, and teach FFA members around the nation. from livestock judging to how to aply for jobs FFA supplies students with many liFe skills needed for colledge, the work force, ect.

[midnightfarmer1]

The farm bill can provide budget money to schools and FFA programs for a school farm that would be managed by the students and the agriculture program. However it doesn't have to just stop there. The schools business classes can get involved and learn how to make investments and make a profit off the school farm. This money can be donated back to the farm bill for the next year, or used in the schools budgets to prevent future school budget cuts. This wont just only benefit the farm bill, the students, and the schools, but the community as well.

[C Ross]

How about some grant funded programs like Mentorships and/or Apprenticeships with some experienced farmers. Not all kids grow up on a farm and the city kids would gain lots of good local insight into farming from an experienced long time farmer.