Agriculture, animal science classes gain a foothold in urban schools
By Jane Coaston
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Sunday, Jan. 17 2010
ST. LOUIS — Kara Dalton is attempting to control chaos. It's Monday at the teacher's pre-veterinary science class at Gateway Institute of Technology high school, and that means baths for the dogs, cats, bunnies, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs and one elusive ferret named Riley.
Gateway Institute of Technology, 5101 McRee Avenue, is among a growing number of suburban and urban high schools nationwide offering agricultural and animal science classes. Such classes are also offered at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy in St. Louis and Edwardsville High School, among others in the region.
But the focus isn't predominantly on farming.
Instead, schools are increasingly using animal science as a springboard to teach math, biology and chemistry. Teachers use cats, dogs and guinea pigs as a hands-on way to teach animal physiology and development.
"I feel that specializing in one area, like ours does, will really allow an urban program to grow and be successful," Dalton said. "It doesn't have to be veterinary science. It could be horticulture, biotechnology or food science." Read More
It’s been exciting to see more schools embracing the lessons that agriculture can teach. Everything from responsibility and work ethic to chemistry and algebra can be learned. The perception of farmers being uneducated, unskilled labor is one of the biggest myths about rural America. It’s one of the most complex and challenging careers there is. By having students experience some of these challenges, they will learn lessons that they will carry for the rest of their lives.
Showing posts with label FFA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FFA. Show all posts
Monday, January 18, 2010
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
82nd National FFA Convention
I flew into Indianapolis yesterday to get ready for the career show kickoff today at the 82nd National FFA Convention. My dance card will be pretty full over the next few days, so the blog may not get updated much. I hope to share pictures and stories with you as time permits though. You can follow me on twitter for short updates this week. My twitter handle is @troyhadrick. Have a great week.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Farmers Get Politically Active
Farmers Protest At The Capitol On Agriculture Day
By CAROLYN MOREAU
The Hartford Courant
10:42 AM EDT, March 18, 2009
The oysters and apples displayed inside the state Capitol were signs of business as usual this morning. But the cow on the lawn outside was not.
Farmers used state Agriculture Day — a trade show for local produce that's been held at the Capitol for as long as anyone can remember — to stage an unusual protest against proposed legislation and state tax code changes that they say will decimate local farms.
Using Facebook, and capitalizing on a national craze for locally grown food that brought the term "locavore" into usage, Connecticut's farmers reached out to consumers, restaurant owners, gardeners, environmentalists and health advocates, urging them to bring signs and placards to the Capitol today.
And come they did. Farmers left their spring chores, and vocational agricultural schools sent busloads of youngsters, to form a crowd of more than 100 (plus one cow) on the Capitol steps.
Read More
It seems like not to many years ago you could safely assume that our elected officials would know how to vote on agriculture issues, after all many of them were involved in agriculture. Today it’s a different story. If there is an issue that is going to affect agriculture, we need to get active and make sure our point of view is being considered. This takes some effort and time away from your real work, but the reality is that this needs to become a regular part of your business.
By CAROLYN MOREAU
The Hartford Courant
10:42 AM EDT, March 18, 2009
The oysters and apples displayed inside the state Capitol were signs of business as usual this morning. But the cow on the lawn outside was not.
Farmers used state Agriculture Day — a trade show for local produce that's been held at the Capitol for as long as anyone can remember — to stage an unusual protest against proposed legislation and state tax code changes that they say will decimate local farms.
Using Facebook, and capitalizing on a national craze for locally grown food that brought the term "locavore" into usage, Connecticut's farmers reached out to consumers, restaurant owners, gardeners, environmentalists and health advocates, urging them to bring signs and placards to the Capitol today.
And come they did. Farmers left their spring chores, and vocational agricultural schools sent busloads of youngsters, to form a crowd of more than 100 (plus one cow) on the Capitol steps.
Read More
It seems like not to many years ago you could safely assume that our elected officials would know how to vote on agriculture issues, after all many of them were involved in agriculture. Today it’s a different story. If there is an issue that is going to affect agriculture, we need to get active and make sure our point of view is being considered. This takes some effort and time away from your real work, but the reality is that this needs to become a regular part of your business.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Mull Memorial Cattle Drive
200 riders wade through fog in 5th annual Mull cattle drive
Monday, November 3, 2008 By MARCIA GORRELL/Staff writer
A foggy morning didn't hamper the enthusiasm of over 200 horse and wagon riders during the fifth annual Houston E. Mull FFA Memorial Cattle Drive Saturday, Nov. 1. "I think that everybody thought it went great, except it got off to a foggy start," said Robin Mull. "Everyone we talked to had an excellent time."
The approximately 11-mile ride took riders from the farm of Robin, Brenda and Bradley Mull near Malta Bend and through the town of Shackleford.
After a luncheon stop the riders drove 40 longhorn cattle back to the Mull farm. On Saturday evening, over 400 people attended a steak dinner at the farm, prepared by the Saline County Cattleman. An auction was also held.
"The auction went as well as it ever has," said Mull. Read More
Congratulations to Houston Mull’s family and Trent Loos for hosting another successful cattle drive in memory of Houston. While I never met Houston everyone talks of his passion for agriculture. Even though he is no longer with us, he continues to promote agriculture through the scholarships that bear his name.
Monday, November 3, 2008 By MARCIA GORRELL/Staff writer
A foggy morning didn't hamper the enthusiasm of over 200 horse and wagon riders during the fifth annual Houston E. Mull FFA Memorial Cattle Drive Saturday, Nov. 1. "I think that everybody thought it went great, except it got off to a foggy start," said Robin Mull. "Everyone we talked to had an excellent time."
The approximately 11-mile ride took riders from the farm of Robin, Brenda and Bradley Mull near Malta Bend and through the town of Shackleford.
After a luncheon stop the riders drove 40 longhorn cattle back to the Mull farm. On Saturday evening, over 400 people attended a steak dinner at the farm, prepared by the Saline County Cattleman. An auction was also held.
"The auction went as well as it ever has," said Mull. Read More
Congratulations to Houston Mull’s family and Trent Loos for hosting another successful cattle drive in memory of Houston. While I never met Houston everyone talks of his passion for agriculture. Even though he is no longer with us, he continues to promote agriculture through the scholarships that bear his name.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Jewel Supports Agriculture
Jewel does some recruiting for future farmers, ranchers
KUSA - Her voice is one of the most distinctive in music today. But when singer/songwriter Jewel isn't out performing on the road, you'll find her down home on the ranch. She's a proud Future Farmers of America alum, and now she's helping to make sure the organization is around for a long time to come.
"A lot of people don't realize where their food comes from, that the stuff that they eat for breakfast lunch and dinner comes from farms all across America. Agriculture is our No. 1 industry in America, and its what makes us uniquely American." Jewel said on 9NEWS 5 a.m.
Agriculture remains one of Colorado's top industries. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2006 alone it provided more than 3 million jobs in our state. The Future Farmers of America helps prepare young people for agribusiness careers, and Jewel wants to make sure the organization will continue to thrive. Read More
It’s great to see a popular musician that is standing up in support of American agriculture. Instead of lining up to be part of some activist cause that is the cool thing of the day, she has chosen to look forward and realize the importance of food producers. Congratulations Jewel and thank you.
KUSA - Her voice is one of the most distinctive in music today. But when singer/songwriter Jewel isn't out performing on the road, you'll find her down home on the ranch. She's a proud Future Farmers of America alum, and now she's helping to make sure the organization is around for a long time to come.
"A lot of people don't realize where their food comes from, that the stuff that they eat for breakfast lunch and dinner comes from farms all across America. Agriculture is our No. 1 industry in America, and its what makes us uniquely American." Jewel said on 9NEWS 5 a.m.
Agriculture remains one of Colorado's top industries. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2006 alone it provided more than 3 million jobs in our state. The Future Farmers of America helps prepare young people for agribusiness careers, and Jewel wants to make sure the organization will continue to thrive. Read More
It’s great to see a popular musician that is standing up in support of American agriculture. Instead of lining up to be part of some activist cause that is the cool thing of the day, she has chosen to look forward and realize the importance of food producers. Congratulations Jewel and thank you.
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