Page 4 - TTWISpring2023

Agriculture
Page 4 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaywi.com

the Agriscience Center at Luxemburg-Casco

life Skills, Introduction to poinsettias, geraniums, annuals) for public Design students.
Horticulture, and Explor- floral sales. A large-scale, student-run business Enhancing the district’s relationship with
atory Agriscience. around agriculture is in its beginning stages. Future Farmers of America, FFA utilizes the
Among the skills Students learn about hydroculture gar- Agriscience Center for its SAE Project (Super-
taught within the barn are dening techniques: the method of cultivating vised Agricultural Experience); SAE are
how to handle animals cor- plants without soil. A Nutrient Film Hydro- hands-on, feet-wet projects that allow students
rectly, how to properly care ponics System pumps water through a pipe in FFA to learn by doing.
for them, and how to deter- into the clay potting medium, providing the
mine animal health (body plants with constant access to water while not
condition score). Participa- flooding them. A Dutch Bucket System, where luxcasco.k12.wi.us
tory, live demonstrations a nutrient solution is pumped from a water
build upon classroom reservoir into the pots for
instruction. maximum nutrient intake
Within the barn area by the plant’s roots, also
is a chicken coop. Students is part of the student cur-
are taught about incubation riculum.
and egg production, along The adjacent outdoor
with the life cycle of chicks space features opportuni-
to adult chickens. Eggs ties for instruction. Among
yielded are utilized by the those activities are raised
district’s culinary program. beds for annual flowers
The large, open space of the and vegetable produc-
barn also is used to build tion (tomatoes, peppers,
items like planter boxes and cucumbers, etc.), fruit
landscape installation mate- trees to practice pruning,
rials. a chicken run, and main-
Luxemburg-Casco School District The Agriscience Center additionally tenance of the building’s
With the goal of providing students with contains a loft area for storage purposes, two landscaping by Landscape
the opportunity to explore agriculture career restrooms and a headhouse. A headhouse is
pathways, the Luxemburg-Casco School Dis- the service area attached to a greenhouse, typi-
trict opened a brand-new Agriscience Center cally housing the central temperature-control teaching America’s Future Farmers
in 2021. The facility provides chances for equipment and providing workspace. All of
hands-on learning with both live animals and the planting takes place in the headhouse. By Savannah Bailey, Logan Guilette, and how to raise different types of livestock
Cultivating
live plants. Seedlings are hosted until they can be trans- Max Boudwin animals and how to manage their finances DID YOU KNOW?
“The Luxemburg-Casco School District ferred into the greenhouse. Chemicals for The FFA’s foundation is built on fos- when doing so. Not only do we hold an in-
is extremely fortunate to have a facility that plant application also are stored within the tering a love for all things agriculture in classroom activity but also a hands-on farm TEACHERS AND STUDENTS HAVE
future teachers
can provide such a vast array of experiential headhouse. America’s youth. The LC FFA takes pride field trip experience. The 4th-grade classes ACCESS TO FREE RESOURCES
learning opportunities for our students. This The greenhouse features a techno- in our many activities aimed at raising the take a day to visit two local farms to learn FROM AECM:
could not have been done without the support logically advanced watering system with next generation of not only farmers, but about agriculture and the different processes
of our community and the FFA alumni.” automated environmental controls. Comput- veterinarians, scientists, and everything in on the farms. • Campus and classroom visits
Students at the University of Minnesota with a major in the
—Superintendent, Jo-Ellen Fairbanks erized machinery controls roof shades that between. On April 6th our FFA chapter held For the older kids, FFA helped with • Workshops for clubs and
department of Agricultural Education, Communication & Marketing
The Center has two separate instructional provide the desired light within the green- our annual petting zoo to teach kids K-2 Pagels Ponderosa’s two-day Ag Career organizations
Days Event. At the Ag Career Days, many
will gain:
areas: a 40-by-70-foot barn and a 30-by-50- house, along with creating energy savings by about different farm animals. We had goats, of the surrounding middle schools came • AgriCast online resource platform
foot greenhouse. The barn contains three box keeping temperature levels consistent. sheep, chickens, cows, dogs, horses, pigs, out to the farm, where agriculture-related
• Hands-on learning experiences
stalls, which house non-companion animals Greenhouse-based classes are Explor- and guinea pigs, all owned by FFA members. companies talked about their business and • Lesson plans
• Engaging field experiences and internships
(horses, cattle, goats, etc.) during the school atory Agriscience I, Exploratory Agriscience The petting zoo was a ton of fun for both the involvement on the farm and within agricul- • Podcasts
day. An arena area with bleachers to seat stu- II, and Natural Resources and Wildlife Skills. kids and members. • High job placement after graduation in careers such as:
ture as a whole. Middle school students got
dents, allowing for animals to be brought out Students also have the opportunity for college- Our chapter also hosts an annual to learn about a wide variety of industries • Virtual field trips
• Sales Representatives
• School-based Agriculture Teachers
and teaching demonstrations given to larger level courses. event for intermediate school students. and possible future career fields, including • Video library, and more!
groups, is a primary component. of the facility. Typical student activities within the For our annual Food for American event, veterinarians, cheese makers, nutritionists,
• Conservation
• Extension Educators
High school-level courses that utilize the greenhouse are planting, plant care, harvesting members take time to create and pursue an Christmas tree farming, and many more.
Technicians
• Youth Outreach Coordinators
barn include Large Animal Science, Small lettuce for the school lunch line, and readying agricultural-based activity in the 4th-grade
Animal Science, Natural Resources and Wild- hanging baskets and budding plants (mums, classrooms. Our activity teaches the students
TEACHING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: NOMINATE A
FUTURE TEACHER
• Minnesota has over 320 teaching positions in agriculture, food, Do you know someone
and natural resources (AFNR) and demand continues to grow!
with an interest in
• Average starting salary for new AFNR teachers in MN in agriculture, food, and SCAN TO
2021-22 was $45,034 natural resources who NOMINATE
Students at the University of Minnesota with a major in the department of Agricultural would excel as A FUTURE
• Scholarships and state/federal student loan forgiveness available
Education, Communication & Marketing will gain hands-on learning experiences, a teacher? TEACHER!
engaging field experiences and internships, and high job placement after graduation
in careers such as:
 School-based Agriculture  Extension Educators  Sales Representatives Learn more online at z.umn.edu/AECM
Teachers  Youth Outreach Coordinators  Conservation Technicians
or email aecm@umn.edu. UMNAECM UMN_AECM UMN AECM 618_0323

Cultivating DID YOU KNOW?

TEACHERS AND STUDENTS HAVE
future teachers ACCESS TO FREE RESOURCES

FROM AECM:
• Campus and classroom visits

Students at the University of Minnesota with a major in the • Workshops for clubs and
department of Agricultural Education, Communication & Marketing organizations
will gain:
• AgriCast online resource platform
• Hands-on learning experiences • Lesson plans
• Engaging field experiences and internships • Podcasts

• High job placement after graduation in careers such as:
• Virtual field trips
• School-based Agriculture Teachers • Sales Representatives • Video library, and more!
• Extension Educators • Conservation

• Youth Outreach Coordinators Technicians

TEACHING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: NOMINATE A
FUTURE TEACHER
• Minnesota has over 320 teaching positions in agriculture, food, Do you know someone
and natural resources (AFNR) and demand continues to grow! with an interest in

• Average starting salary for new AFNR teachers in MN in agriculture, food, and SCAN TO
2021-22 was $45,034 natural resources who NOMINATE
would excel as A FUTURE
• Scholarships and state/federal student loan forgiveness available a teacher? TEACHER!

Learn more online at z.umn.edu/AECM

or email aecm@umn.edu. UMNAECM UMN_AECM UMN AECM 618_0323