Midland is recognized for excellence in agricultural education

     Midland High School was one of five schools recognized for excellence in agriculture education at the Iowa FFA Leadership Conference April 22-24 in Ames. The awards were presented by the Iowa Council on Agricultural Education.

     Midland received the Integration of Science Award. Midland offers CASE: Curriculum for Agriculture Science Education. Through these agriscience courses, students participate in labs and hands on experiences that allow for experimentation and inquiry. These courses increase student comfort with science concepts. The program is taught by Jamie Christiansen.

     The purpose of the award is to identify what makes a highly successful agriculture education program in schools and recognize those who model that success. Amy Grantz is the agriculture teacher at Central DeWitt High School and FFA advisor. The program was nominated for the award by a student in the agriculture education program, Heather Cernek.

     “Our program makes students aware of unique careers in agriculture through multiple interactive workshops held many times throughout the year during FFA conventions and leadership conferences,” wrote Cernek. “Guest speakers from local agricultural companies such as River Valley visit our classroom periodically to speak about past career experiences.”

     DeWitt Central won the overall Excellence in Agriculture Excellence Award. Other schools honored were: Hampton-Dumond, Advisory Committee Award; DeWitt Central, Program Promotion and Marketing Award; Pleasantville, Agriculture Career Awareness Award; Southeast Polk, Adult Education Award.

     Agriculture education is offered in 235 high schools across Iowa. Agriculture education employs a three-component model to deliver teaching through classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience programs, and leadership development through FFA. Students who take an agriculture education class are eligible to join FFA. There are more than 15,200 FFA members in Iowa.

State poultry award

     In other Midland FFA news, the chapter was chosen as the ninth-place team in the Iowa FFA Poultry Evaluation Career Development event April 24 in Ames.

     A total of 88 chapters participated, involving 338 FFA members.