BOE showcases Ag efforts across district
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At the August 24 Board of Education meeting, the school system hosted a special Ag recognition. ACHS Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor Kelsey Marchant was present to showcase the Ag programs from each school. The three main components of Georgia Ag Education are referred to as a three-circle model, comprised of Classroom instruction, Supervised Agricultural Experience, and FFA.
ACES was one of 13 elementary schools selected to pilot the elementary Ag program in the state of Georgia. Marchant was selected as the first elementary Ag teacher and was instrumental in working at the state level to create program standards.
ACPS is planning a school memorial garden in memory of Piper Carter.
Knicole Lee at Southern Healthcare Collaboration partnered with ACPS to fund the second greenhouse on an elementary campus. SHC is also funding greenhouses at 4th District and Altamaha in their next round of community grants.
Last year, Altamaha students had the opportunity to visit the Georgia Ag Experience mobile learning classroom sponsored by the Georgia Farm Bureau. 4th District Elementary is also incorporating local Ag field trips to the Georgia National Fair, as well as the Ag-a-Rama in Tifton. Cason Cranford is the state winner in the watermelon growing contest.
ACHS Ag teacher Kevin Harrison introduced high school FFA President Jack Roundtree, Vice President Marlee Anderson, and Secretary Tana Hall, who said a few words in support of the program. Appling has one of 25 processing facilities left in the state of Georgia, open in the summer by scheduling system. Ricky Barnes is the manager, and the Ag teachers operate and work in the facility. The past two years, Knicole Lee with Southern Healthcare Collaboration has graciously provided a grant to pay for high school student workers in the summer. The canning plant had a record year, canning over 8,200 cans and creaming over 5,500 pounds of corn.
The Floriculture Team placed at the Okefenokee Ag Fair. Both the Floriculture and Wildlife Teams placed first in their respective areas. The Wildlife Team took fourth place at the state level, while the Floriculture Team placed tenth.
Once students graduate, they have a chance to join a junior membership as a Young Farmer, the adult education component of Georgia Ag education. Members travel to the Young Farmer State Convention and a regional caucus where they are able to go vote on bylaws. There’s also the Truck and Tractor Pull subcommittee, State National Tractors Committee, youth committee, and scholarship committees.
