Community Makes The Program Stronger

I have said it time and time again, community is key to a successful agriculture program. This week I was shown numerous times the importance that the community can play in a program. This weeks' curriculum would not have been complete without some key community members coming together to provide students with first hand insight.

We just entered our electrical unit in Ag Science 3. Students spent a few days learning about electrical safety. They also took a look at how power is generated from a power plant and pushed through power lines to a home. It worked out perfectly that the local electricity provider PPL was able to come give a demonstration for our students. PPL has put together a Live Line Electrical Safety Exhibit to educate the public on electrical safety. The exhibit was extremely informational, adding to the content students previously learned in the classroom. They explained to students why birds can sit on power lines without being electrocuted and offered safety tips for if a student would be in car accident with an electrical pole. It was great get students from other pathways to come and experience their presentation as well.


The community involvement continued in my animal science class as well. We are well into out reproduction unit and have been discussing various breeding methods. Students were able to give artificial insemination a try first hand thanks to Gensemer's Meat Co. for providing a bovine reproductive tract. We were also provided with a group of abnormal chicken eggs for students to candle during a lab on Friday. I was blown away by the variety of eggs we were given including everything from eggs that didn't develop a hard shell to eggs that developed quickly, making them much smaller than an average sized egg.

Our freshman class started their woodworking unit, where they will be building blue bird boxes for the Columbia County Conservation District. These boxes are sold during their spring plant sale and placed in various locations around the community. I felt that it was important for students to hear from Mary Wagner the manager of the conservation district about the Blue Bird box project that they will be working on. Mary also shared with students some of the major projects that the conservation district provide and help put on. Additionally, she shared with them opportunities that they could have to be involved with these projects.

The community involved in the Central Columbia Agriculture program is truly second to none. They want the best for the students in the program and will stop at nothing to ensure they are given the best experiences. I am glad that both of my cooperating teachers, Mr. Curt Turner and Mr. Doug Brown have chose to be involved in the community as well. On Thursday they were both recognized and awarded during the Columbia County Ag Banquet for their efforts in educating the local community. I couldn't have asked to be apart of a better community for my student teaching experience.

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