By Shala Watson
Staff Writer
Agricultural education programs deliver hands-on instruction, leadership development and interactive learning opportunities for students across the U.S. every day. At the heart of these programs are agricultural science teachers who are inspiring the next generation of leaders, problem-solvers, entrepreneurs and agriculturalists.
There are about 1,800 agricultural science teachers in Texas and 12,000 in the U.S.
Today, Sept. 22, is the seventh annual National Teach Ag Day, a day to recognize the impact and the difference ag teachers make.
“Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders in agriculture, and no one prepares them to rise up and meet the challenges that lie ahead like ag teachers,” said Tom Buis, Growth Energy co-chair and acting CEO.
Ag teachers play an important role in shaping the future leaders within agriculture and beyond.
“In many ways, it’s like a history lesson and talking about a dying breed, because there are fewer and fewer traditional farmers and ranchers,” said Dr. Sandra Graham, professor in Tarleton State University’s Agricultural and Consumer Sciences Department.
Graham was the first female vocational agriculture teacher in the state of Texas and served six years as an ag teacher before becoming a college professor.
“Students are quickly becoming removed from traditional agriculture,” Graham said. “So, the teacher’s challenge is to acknowledge the hard work that has been done on the traditional farms and ranches and still relay the importance of agriculture in today’s world.”
Teachers help encourage students to find and pursue their strengths, build a strong work ethic and develop character.
Graham says ag teachers help develop the values of leadership, citizenship and responsibility and the rewards of those values in their students.
“We educate students on agriculture, but also teach them life lessons along the way, like how to properly introduce yourself, speaking to a group of individuals and how to be professional leaders in our society,” said Amanda Twedt, agricultural science teacher at Whitehouse High School. “As an ag teacher, we have multiple hats to wear and every one of them plays a significant role in the future generation.”
Agricultural educators encourage students to pursue careers in agriculture and other fields.
“I love to inform students of the world of possibilities they have in the field of agriculture, especially when they didn’t realize the career is a part of our agriculturally based lives,” Twedt said.
“Students never forget their ag teachers, so it is imperative that we celebrate them and inspire the next generation to teach ag,” said Ellen Thompson, National Teach Ag Campaign project director.