North Carolina Agricultural Education 2010 State of the State Joshua Bledsoe July 20, 2010

Agricultural Education Facts In 1990 … Agriculture Teachers = 284 Number of Programs = 229 Student Enrollment = 23,723 FFA Membership = 14,257 Number of Ag Ed Courses = 13

Agricultural Education Facts Today … Agriculture Teachers = 399 Number of Programs = 290 Student Enrollment = 60,892 FFA Membership = 16,633 Number of Ag Ed Courses = 21

Agricultural Education Facts Comparatively speaking… Agriculture Teachers: +115 Number of Programs: +61 Student Enrollment: +37,169 FFA Membership: +2,376 Number of Ag Ed Courses: +8

This Past Year … Survived a tough budget year 12 month employment in tact Continued funding for the NC FFA Center More than $50,000 of repairs and improvements at the NC FFA Center

This Past Year … Chartered 6 new programs/chapters FFA membership increased by 57 Increased participation in FFA activities NC FFA Alumni Chapter Grant Program established

This Past Year … Reviewed four agricultural education courses Developed draft Standard Course of Study Increased number of summer workshops Focus 20/10 by NCATA

This Past Year … Committee to investigate a regional agriscience academy/early college New Administrative Assistant – Beth Deakle New Intern – Matt Barnhill Continued growing partnerships

Recent NC FFA Board Actions Set balanced budgets for Association and Center; the budgets are very tight … Late fee for invoices over 90 days Some CDE changes –Forestry, Land Judging, Job Interview Agriscience Fair

Recent NC FFA Board Actions Pilot an affiliation fee program this year Home school membership formalized State Officers focus on reaching 20,000 The board set a goal to focus on community service this year

NC Ag Ed Goals Agricultural Education in every LEA 100% programs have FFA chapters 100% FFA membership 100% programs have an Alumni

NC Ag Ed Goals Preparing all students for success Career and College Ready Better service to teachers and students

As a Result … We keep students in school We positively impact local economies We produce quality citizens We provide for the world

Why is Ag Ed Relevant? Proven instructional model Quality leadership development Demand for agricultural products Safe renewable energy sources

Facts and Statistics In the past 50 years, the world population has doubled. World food demand is expected to increase by 100% in the next 40 years. In 1960 a US farmer fed 26 people. This year, he will feed 155.

Facts and Statistics There are 24 million jobs supported by US farmers. The population of Australia is 21 million. US consumers spend just 10% of their disposable income on food. A family of four could live for 10 years off the bread from 1 acre of wheat.

Facts and Statistics Agriculture and agribusiness is North Carolina’s number one industry with an annual economic impact of more than $74 billion. Farmers and ranchers provide food and habitat for 75% of the nation’s wildlife.

Facts and Statistics The US will produce nearly 13 million bales of cotton this year. That’s enough cotton to produce: –3 billion pairs of jeans –9 billion terry bath towels –15 billion pillowcases –40 billion diapers

Facts and Statistics 41.56% of the world’s corn is produced by the US. That’s more than China, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, India and the European Union COMBINED. In 2008, one in every four rows of US corn went into ethanol production.

Facts and Statistics One acre of soybeans can produce 82,268 crayons. The US exported 38.5 million tons of soybeans in That equals the weight of: –35 Golden Gate Bridges –95 Empire State Buildings –916 Lincoln Memorials –And an entire bus of sumo wrestlers –COMBINED

Facts and Statistics Since I have shared these facts with you, the world’s population has increased by more than 300 people. By tomorrow it will have grown by 200,000 people. And by 2050, more than 2.5 billion people.

Facts and Statistics Farmers and ranchers will need to produce more food in the next 50 years than was produced in the previous 10,000 years … COMBINED! Agricultural Education IS relevant!

To Reach Our Goals Focus on Quality Programs Focus on Quality People Focus on Quality Partners

Quality Programs Focus on three-circle model approach –Quality Curriculum and Instruction –Quality Experiential Learning Activities –Quality FFA Activities –Quality Student Development –Utilize the Program Accountability Document to Plan and Evaluate

Quality People Quality Professional Development Quality Assistance to New Teachers Quality Teacher Leadership Program Quality Teacher Recruitment and Retention

Quality Partners Quality Alumni Affiliates Quality NCATA Quality Volunteers Quality Local Relationships Quality State Relationships Quality National Relationships

Action Steps Share program accomplishments Focus on respective mission and goals Online resources and collaboration Creation of North Carolina Team Ag Ed

Action Steps Collect Relevant Data Economic Impact of SAE Graduation Rates Service Project Hours/Impact Volunteer Hours Degrees Earned/Awarded Adult Education Programs Program Profitability Impact of Program Projects List of Local Partners Success Stories/Impact Statements

Why? Student Success

Thoughts “We are preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist using technologies that haven’t yet been invented to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.” Karl Fisch

Thoughts “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” William Arthur Ward

Thoughts “Teaching is not a profession, it’s a passion.”

North Carolina Agricultural Education 2010 State of the State Joshua Bledsoe July 20, 2010