Today is National Teach Ag Day, and to celebrate the contribution and lasting effect that agricultural teachers and their lessons have on those they teach, members of the AgCareers.com team share meaningful experiences and memories of their own agricultural teachers and classes.
“I took agriculture all 4 years of high school, now looking back 14 years after graduation I realize that I learned not only technical skills but also soft skills, or employability skills, as I like to call them. I learned how to classify soil types, which believe it or not I’ve used a couple times in my life. I learned how to conduct a meeting using Roberts Rules of Order, which I wish every meeting was structured around, sadly it isn’t, but at least I get to practice my skills during church business meetings. Best of all I learned how to give oral reasons when talking in front of a group. I use that skill in my career, my marriage, and day to day life!
But most importantly I learned how to be part of a larger organization to educate and advocate for a cause. That’s what Ag Classes teach you to do. Often the ag class at the local high school isn’t the most popular and those in the class bond together to show and educate others about agriculture. The Ag Teacher is a great leader in that cause and I had two great examples to follow. They were both quiet and soft spoken individuals who didn’t get too excited about much, they handled every situation (both good and bad) with the same demeanor and they earned respect for that. They knew how others in the school viewed the agriculture classes and led by example that we shouldn’t take a defensive approach but should educate people about agriculture and its importance. In a time when agriculture is being attacked more than ever and advocacy for industry is a hot topic I’m glad that I have their foundation of education to help me be an agvocate!
And lastly, they taught me to stick to what you’re good at when it comes to competing! There are nearly 30 different competitions (Career Development Events) that you can participate in through the FFA and Agriculture Classes. I’m pretty sure at some point my freshman year in high school we were told about them all, but I really had no concept until later in my professional life. At my high school we did Livestock Judging, Forestry Judging and Soil Judging. We stuck to what we were good at and we won!”
-Ashley Collins, Marketing & Education Manager
“As an active member of 4-H, I participated in quite a few Horse Quiz Bowls and Judging Contests. These events were instrumental in developing many skills that would serve me well in my professional life. Sandy Pentacost was one of our leaders, and she had such a heart for teaching young kids! She laid the foundation for understanding what correct conformation looked like, and how to explain it with the right terminology through the art of giving reasons. Quiz Bowl taught me the study skills that helped me organize and memorize information in college and beyond. Both contest provided experiences that allowed me to learn how to perform under pressure and think on my feet. Leaders like Sandy, who have a gift in encouraging and coaching young people, should be celebrated every day!”
-Beth Hales, Director of Client Relations
“I knew from a young age the amazing impact an agricultural teacher could have on an individual. I came from a town with one of the leading ag programs and FFA chapters in the state that left a mark on my dad. Every year at our state fair, he’d make a point to head to the FFA building to see if the (fairly) legendary Wayne Nattress, his FFA advisor and ag teacher, was around for a visit. When I reached high school where I could take ag classes and join FFA, my teacher Mr. Gerzema instilled me with a love of agriculture that I had never really appreciated before then. He took a group of freshmen to the National FFA Convention, myself included, to get us interested in the power of the organization, and tirelessly encouraged every member of the chapter to voice our opinions and get involved in the activities we did. And when I say tirelessly, I really mean it. He put in hours WELL beyond school time–I can’t imagine the commitment it takes to be an ag teacher. I learned what it truly meant to be a professional by getting involved in FFA speaking contests that I probably would have never done had it not been for Mr. Gerzema’s encouragement. From learning what dirt was better than other dirt in soil judging contests and which steer produces the best meat in livestock judging to having pride in your roots and in the industry itself, I can’t thank Mr. Gerzema enough and don’t know that I would have truly pursued a career in agriculture if it weren’t for him.”
-Kristine Penning, Creative Marketing Specialist
“Growing up on a farm gave me a narrow minded perspective on agriculture. I honestly thought that FFA was going to teach me how to never get away from my family farm. However, my agriculture teacher, Mr. Jolly, taught me that FFA and agriculture education could actually help me go beyond those borders. Through his guidance I did more than I ever thought I could. I went on all expense paid trips across the country throughout high school and received more than enough scholarships and internships to allow me to graduate college with $0 debt. The skills that I learned in my high school agriculture classroom are the skills that I still use today to help educate others about the many career in ag and how there are so many pieces to the agriculture industry puzzle. I currently live in the middle of a city and thanks to many years of horticulture in high school, my husband and I produced enough vegetables this summer on our roof to freeze and give away to our friends! Mr. Jolly has been an amazing role model and it would take a book to elaborate on everything that he has taught me over the years well beyond a seat in his classroom!”
-Lauren Shotwell, HR Services Account Manager
“I was very fortunate to be involved with our local FFA chapter and had two great advisor. Being from a small town allowed students to be involved in many activities, whether it was sports, FFA or other extracurricular activities. By far the most lessons learned came from participating in various projects through our local FFA chapter. Not only was I taught the importance of public speaking, job interview skills, and responsibilities raising an animal, but most importantly, life lessons in general. I truly believe that I would not have attended the college I went to, or have the current position in my career if it was not for the lessons I learned through the FFA program via my advisors. I feel blessed to have been part of such an amazing organization. I believe that agriculture education is of extreme importance, now more than ever, with our young generation.”
-Shelby McArthur, Western US Account Manager
“Growing up on a dairy farm, I learned a lot about agriculture, but it was involvement in 4-H and my leader that sparked a passion that has driven me to my role today. Through 4-H, I met some of my best friends because we all shared a bond of farming and growing food. Agriculture leadership for me was further defined through studying at the Ontario Agriculture College where I learned about the need to encourage, share and promote the great things we do in the Agriculture & food industry here in Ontario. On September 24th as we celebrate Teach Ag Day, I reflect on my 4-H leaders that are still mentors today.”
-Kathryn Doan, Director of Global Business Development & Technology
Interested in becoming an ag teacher? Visit AgCareers.com to see a growing list of openings.
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