Ag teachers are known for being innovative, creative and helping students find their passion in agriculture. The CHS Foundation recently helped 10 ag education teachers bring big ideas to life by providing them with $500 grants. Projects that give students hands-on experiences in animal science, ag mechanics, horticulture and precision agriculture were among some of the programs selected.
Cindy Arnott, an ag teacher at Big Sky High School in Missoula, Mont., is using a 100-acre land lab to connect her students with a local weed management specialist to teach students about precision agriculture and forage management.
“This grant helped pay for an iPad and other components needed to complete the ArcGIS weed mapping of our facility,” says Arnott. “Students are researching herbicides and integrated management, which will help them create a long-term plan for treating weeds in our pastures and hay field.”
Sandy Cordes, a teacher at Little Wolf High School in Manawa, Wisc., is using her grant to set up a poultry unit for more than 130 students.
“Raising chickens has become a hobby for many and this is a tangible way to teach life skills to my students,” says Cordes. “My students can engage in activities ranging from anatomy, meat cuts, eggs and carcass evaluation to help them build their critical thinking skills and become productive citizens and informed consumers.”
Other selected projects include:
- Artificial insemination; Homedale High School, Idaho
- Greenhouse hydroponics; Carlton High School, Illinois
- Eighth grade agriscience instruction; Forest Park Jr./Sr. High, Indiana
- Hydroponics and vegetable marketing; MFL MarMac, Iowa
- Ag mechanics improvements; Tina-Avalon R-II School, Missouri
- Welding equipment; Minatare High School, Nebraska
- Maple syrup production; Zane Trace High School, Ohio
- Beekeeping; Clintonville High School, Wisconsin
Learn more about how the CHS Foundation supports the next generation of ag leaders for life at chsfoundation.org.
