Thermopolis FFA participates in nationwide ag appreciation initiative
Every year, the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) leads a nationwide initiative called National Teach Ag Day to raise awareness about ag education and celebrate the impact of ag teachers.
Members of the Thermopolis FFA Chapter at Hot Springs County High School got involved with the program through a series of events leading up to National Teach Ag Day on Sept. 18 under the guidance of FFA Advisor Britton Van Heule and Assistant FFA Advisor Linda McCumber.
The goal of the project was to celebrate ag teachers and promote the agricultural teaching profession while encouraging more individuals to pursue careers in agricultural education.
“This project is a way to show support for ag teachers who are working really hard,” Van Heule says. “Relationships are key for ag programs and communities.”
National Teach Ag Day
NAAE statistics reflect a decline in ag teachers across the country in recent years, influenced by factors like low pay, heavy workload and lack of support.
Initiatives like National Teach Ag Day bring awareness to this crisis and offer avenues for students to learn more about ag education as a career path.
Van Heule has been an ag teacher for 23 years. He notes, in recent years the age demographic of ag teachers has shifted from older teachers in long-term positions to younger ones who often relocate several times before retirement.
“It’s hard to find teachers, not only in Wyoming, but all over the U.S.,” Van Heule notes. “When a district can’t find a teacher to hire, it’s usually when a program goes away.”
“As an older teacher, I felt like it was a good idea to bring awareness to this situation,” Van Heule continues. “We want our students to understand ag education is a career they can pursue and to get involved with giving back to ag teachers in our state.”
Showing support
With help from Wyoming State FFA Advisor Stacy Broda, members of Thermopolis FFA sent out a survey asking ag teachers across the state questions about their jobs.
The survey garnered 14 responses, which students published on the chapter’s Facebook page throughout the week in a series of slides highlighting Wyoming ag educators.
The FFA chapter also mailed out mugs to teachers in their district. Mugs were customized using the ag shop’s laser machine and feature the FFA emblem and an owl since the advisor is “stationed by the owl” in FFA opening and closing ceremonies.
Ag appreciation
Ella Slover and Mac McCumber serve on the Thermopolis FFA Officer Team as treasurer and third vice president and are passionate about bringing the message of supporting ag teachers to their chapter and community through this project.
“If we lose ag teachers, we won’t have FFA in general,” says Slover. “FFA creates so many opportunities like getting out of your shell, learning new things and helping out the community.”
Slover further notes FFA has improved her public speaking skills and emphasizes the organization’s role in providing scholarship opportunities for high school seniors.
Mac says FFA has provided a platform to build skills like work ethic, problem solving and time management while getting involved with community service.
“Ag allows us to grow as individuals and prepares us for more careers than other subjects,” Mac says. “Ag teachers are the foundation of things that improve our community and the way we look at things.”
Additionally, both students emphasize the important role advisors play in creating opportunities for their chapters and boosting confidence.
“They support you no matter what they have going on in their life,” Mac says. “It gives you a baseline to start growing.”
“It’s always helpful to know your advisor is there,” Slover adds. “You’re more confident. If you do make a mistake, you know you have somebody who will lift you up and get you back to where you were.”
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
