Learning From Agriculture

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.

Teaching Teachers About Ag

Teachers learn ways to bring agriculture to the classroom
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 9:53 AM CDT

STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS - A group of elementary school teachers from across Texas recently spent a week on Tarleton State University’s campus participating in the 15th annual Summer Agricultural Institute.

The Texas Farm Bureau sponsors the event in which educators attend workshops and participate in activities learning ways to take agriculture back to their classrooms. The teachers receive continuing education credits to help satisfy the requirements of their local school districts and three hours of graduate credit from Tarleton.

The week’s events included a field trip with destinations such as Veldhuizen Cheese Shoppe, Callaway Rope Company, Dublin Dr Pepper, Sierra Dairy and more.At the end of their visit, the teachers were treated to a catered dinner at Tarleton’s dining hall.

Keynote speaker Dr. George Austin, retired agronomist from Texas AgriLife Research, reiterated the week’s message of the importance of agriculture in the classroom. Read More

I believe that it is critical for agriculture to have a presence in our classrooms. Either through programs like this that educate the teachers about agriculture, or else using projects like Ag In The Classroom. The other option that is the best in my opinion is for farmers and ranchers to go into some local classrooms themselves to talk to the kids. My wife and I have done this a few times and it’s always a great experience. The kids are so excited to have someone else besides their teacher in the room and are eager to hear what you have to say.