1. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION in Wisconsin

2. Who we are Ag Ed is a school-based program that prepares youth for careers in agriculture Three components – Class, FFA and SAE For nearly 100 years we’ve used STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) initiatives and 21 st century teaching and learning principles All done through an innovative local, state and national support system that nurtures student development Class FFASAE

3. Who we are Beginning  Present Classes cover farming topics  Classes cover all aspects of food, fiber and natural resources FFA offers competitions  FFA offers leadership development SAE projects include livestock, crops, machinery, etc.  SAE projects include ag production, research, communications, landscaping, etc.  Nearly 100 Years of Progress

4. Wisconsin Agriculture Ag is a broad-spectrum industry with diverse career and job opportunities. Only a small percentage of people working in the agricultural industry are involved in production agriculture. Wisconsin’s diverse ag industry weaves through our communities culturally and economically Natural resources, animal welfare and food safety, quality and affordability are daily topics of mainstream media and conversations Ag Ed equips students with all sides of these issues as they relate to social, environmental and economic sustainability

5. Wisconsin Agriculture Students are challenged to take initiative and approach matters with creative solutions. The rate of increase in agricultural productivity is lagging the world’s growing needs by 25 percent annually “We need to do more with less and we must start implementing measures and policies that increase productivity today,” said Bill Lesher, executive director of Global Harvest Initiative We must cultivate our human talent to lead this effort from all aspects of the industry

6. Classes Delivered by certified ag teachers who stay up-to-date on the rapidly evolving, global ag industry Many courses are cross-walked with core subject matter, and Assembly Bill 236 allows for approved agriculture courses to earn science credits Classes FFASAE Without FFA or SAE, the class instruction wouldn’t prepare well-rounded, college- and career-ready students Without the class instruction there would be no content knowledge basis upon which FFA and SAE are built

7. FFA FFA is a national organization of over 523,000 members Most well-known component of Ag Ed because if its high- Classes FFASAE visibility contests, awards, conferences, programs and of course… the blue corduroy jacket. Without class and SAE there would be no knowledge and skill basis for which the FFA could offer competitions or award programs Without FFA life and career skill attainment would be moderate

8. SAE Exclusive to the ag discipline and is arguably the linchpin of Ag Ed SAE engages students in an experiential learning project that can be entrepreneurial, research-based or employment-based Classes FFASAE Without class and FFA there would be no opportunity for students to grow their base knowledge or compete for recognition of their SAE program Without SAE the knowledge and skills attained would not be as deeply engrained

9. Why Ag Ed Ag Ed is a key component of the Wisconsin education system and enhances the social, economic and environmental well-being of the state Classes  Technical Knowledge + FFA  Life and Career Skills + SAE  Hands-On Application = College and Career Ready Individual The focus is on ag, but many of our graduates are successful in careers beyond the agriculture industry

10. Why Ag Ed For Student Success Today’s students – regardless of previous achievement level, personal backgrounds or learning styles – thrive in the environment and culture of Ag Ed –Academic success –Life and career skills –Innovative instructional delivery –Real-world experience and application –Learning beyond the school building –Career path –Student-to-student mentors –Student-adult mentorship –Collaborative support structure

11. Why Ag Ed For Superior School Environments Ag Ed enhances traditional school environments by its spirit and culture of collaboration, unity and student achievement –Partners in Active Learning Support (PALS) –Ag Literacy Programs –“Green” projects

12. Why Ag Ed For Stronger Communities Ag Ed has been creating engagement between communities and the education system since its beginning. –Local food pantry assistance –Community supported agriculture (CSAs) –Ag literacy programs –Community beautification projects –Clean-up projects –Returning home-grown knowledge and talent –Students awards winners build community pride and unity –Community members as guest speakers in classrooms –FFA Alumni involvement creates a collaborative team approach –SAEs encourage interact with local residents and business people

13. Why Ag Ed For Agricultural Sustainability The agriculture industry is a rewarding field of work and continues to demand more talented people to fill positions at all parts of the broad spectrum of careers. USDA estimates a growth of 5 percent of jobs in agriculture, food and natural resources from 2010 to 2015 Employers strongly prefer graduates from colleges of ag and natural resources, but there will only be enough graduates in these areas to fill 53 percent of the positions Top seven fields with largest percentage of growth: –Biochemists and Biophysicists – 37.4 –Veterinarians – 33.0 –Environmental Engineers – 30.6 –Market Research Analysts – 28.1 –Environmental Scientists and Specialists, including Health – 27.9 –Public Relations Specialists – 24.0 –Management Analysts – 23.9

14. Our network Unique feature of Ag Ed is that each student is supported by a network of staff, volunteers, donors, industry partners and other allies at the local, state and national levels Link that fastens the student to this network is the local certified ag teacher Local ag teachers use this support system on a daily basis for the betterment of their students Through their relationship with their teacher, students receive top-notch, cutting-edge instruction, access to many different adult and peer mentors and advisors, state and national programming resources, global awareness and connectedness through interactions with peers from other parts of the state, country and beyond and much, much more

15. Conclusion Agricultural education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices in the global agriculture, food, fiber, and natural resources systems. Thank you! Class FFASAE

16. Resources Global Harvest Initiative’s 2010 GAP Report™ - http://www.globalharvestinitiative.org/Documents/PR% 2010.13.pdf USDA Report – “Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in Food, Renewable Energy, and the Environment” - United States, 2010-2015 - http://www.ag.purdue.edu/USDA/employment/Pages/d efault.aspx National FFA Website – www.ffa.org Wisconsin FFA Website – www.wisconsinffa.org Partnership for 21 st Century Skills Website - www.p21.org