Great Job!

Our Animal & Plant Plant Biotechnology Students have a lab activity where they need to identify a culprit using DNA samples.  This multi-day activity provides students DNA samples from a "crime scene" and from five suspects.  Students are asked to use procedures from a prior lab to complete the investigation in an attempt to properly identify which culprit puppy chewed the show.

This year I decided to invite the Law & Public Safety program to participate with this.  It provided a great opportunity for my Animal & Plant Biotech Students to teach others what they have learned so far this year.  My students loved this opportunity and they appeared to thrive.

The Law and Public Safety Students learned basic biotech skills that are used in a CSI type lab: micropipetting, centrifuging, electrophoresis, and keeping a lab notebook.  They seemed to enjoy the multi-day lesson and we concluded with reviewing the steps completed by listing steps for performing this complex procedure.

Above you can see Agricultural Science students in white lab coats leading teams composed of Law and Public Safety Students.  Here they are preparing their DNA samples for a separation technique called electrophoresis.

Seen above here, Law and Public Safety Students are loading thier DNA samples into electrophorsis chambers like CSI investigators would.  Here they are attempting to answer the question of "which puppy chewed the shoe?"

After DNA was run through an agarose gel in the electrophoresis process, the DNA fragments separated and created a "DNA fingerprint".  Can you tell which puppy chewed the shoe?

After they analyzed their gels, and recorded their procedures and documented results, they then reviewed all the major steps completed from start to finish by doing some "floor graffiti" as we call it.

All students greatly benefited from the four day activity and we look forward to hosting another 

Agricultural CSI, Land judgers, Problem Solvers, and Safety Officers

Our Animal and Plant Biotechnology students have been learning how to write protocols in their lab notebooks.  The procedure they performed was harvesting DNA from kiwi fruit seen here on immediate right.  Next, as seen right below, they are preparing electrophoresis gels to practicing micopippetting and loading their harvested kiwi DNA.   

We are also preparing for our state CDE's  Shown here on the left it may appear that students are performing a line dance of sorts; but, they are determining land slope as one of the tasks to do for the land judging event.  Photographing this procedure was a challenge since once I tried taking the photo many of the arms students were using to estimate the elevation change went down: almost like ground hogs disappearing back in a hole once you get close!

In NJ state level Landjudging, if a four student team does well and has at least 60% proficiency they may be invited to participate in the national landjuding event.

Plant Science students have been learning leaf morphology and leaf functions this week.  Here on the right students pressed leaf pigments into filter paper and subjected the filter and pigment to alcohol to separate the pigments and make pigment inferences based on observations.

A two weeks ago we renovated our turfgrass plots.  I did a post a couple weeks ago showing and explaining what students were doing to help.  We have been irrigating three times a day for roughly 10 minutes to germinate the grasses.  We will be using this area to help prepare for the Turfgrass Management FFA competition where students could earn a scholarship to Rutgers Turfgrass bachelor degree program.  In 2011 and 2012, Frank Merrill placed 2nd and 1st earning scholarship money.  Students will also use this are to learn mowing practices.


Our Agricultural Research and Development students (fourth year students) are working on developing their year project problem statements.  They have narrowed their topic down to marine oil pollution.  Aspects they are learning to include in the problem statement are: 1) What is the problem, 2) When did the begin, 3) Who has the problem, 4) Where does the problem exist, 5) Is the problem prevalent.

Our FANR (Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources) students have completed lessons on use and identifying lab equipment, location and use of safety equipment and materials, and making classroom laboratory safety rules today.  We used a lesson from two weeks ago, parliamentary procedures, to decide which rules to publish.  It was fun and exciting!

What an amazing week!

Students in Plant Science were learning about soil chemistry last week and this week.  Here they are pictured collecting soil pH data using a data logger and pH probe.  Students are then asked to determine which soil pH samples are productive and unproductive for healthy plant growth.  They then determine and record what effects the pH will have on plant growth.






We have living turfgrass plots outside of our greenhouse which needed renovation this year.  Students were involved in renovating the turf plots by measuring seed to be used in each 5 foot by 5 foot plot with a scale. They then helped color code the randomly arranged 40 plots for ease of sowing seed.

Next we sowed the seed and spread straw for mulching.









Last step was setting up irrigation for rapid and even seed germination.
 

This past Friday into Saturday six students in our National FFA Chapter attended a leadership training conference open to all NJ FFA chapters.  The Conference is called LEAD. 

Roughly 13 NJ Agricultural Education / National FFA chapters attended in the Mount Laurel NJ area.  The programming was designed for three tracks, two of which our students participated in: COLT (Chapter Officer Leadership Training for upperclassmen) and State Greenhand Conference (designed for first year students). 

Each track was giving out a single award for the most outstanding.  Our one Greenhand attendee won the Outstanding Greenhand Award, and our elected FFA  student officer team won Outstanding Officer Team.  What a surprise and thrill to have both groups earn and take the awards. This was a great success for students and had a large and powerful impact on them.

Thank you all for continuing to support the Agricultural Science program and our National FFA chapter.  I and the students truly appreciate all you have done to make the program grow.

Active learning and recent graduate shares internship story

Agricultural Science Students have been busy.  Studying Fruit and Vegetable Identification for an FFA competition (above).

One this past June's graduates, Zach, interned at a local molecular biology lab.  He then came in to share his story and educate our current students on DNA and protein production basics as well as new genetic techniques like CRISPR.

One of the best parts to Zach's story is how much excitement and energy he brought back from this experience.  He currently attends RVCC with a NJ Stars Scholarship and plans to attend Rutgers right after.

The Animal & Plant Biotech Students completed their safety lessons and began working on making calculations for solution prep and associated tool use.  Some tools and equipment learned so far are: pipettes and biosafety cabinet.  All Biotech students are required to maintain a lab notebook to professional standards.  This lab notebook in intended to be used for a portfolio in position applications.

Agricultural Research and Development Students have taken a survey to determine their talents, and reported on how talents compliment and the power of diversity.  They are wrapping up researching current global agricultural problems.  Their next step will be to complete a brainstorming activity to narrow their current research down to a topic they will follow for the year.

Plant Science students have been learning about soil science.  They have covered soil properties such as texture, permeability, erosion, water holding capacity, soil organisms, how all these factors influence soil color.  Pictured here students are applying all they have learned by predicting what they will find in a soil pit from given information.  They document all the pit findings then write a lab report communicating their findings.

FFA So much to know, So many opportunities

FFA So much to know, So many opportunities

This is only the beginning of what students and parents can learn about the vast opportunities National FFA and NJ FFA offer.  After our Back to School Night, parents expressed interest in knowing more about FFA and how parents can support students.  Knowledge is power.  My hope is that if student hear a message coming from myself and a similar message from their parents they will feel more encouraged and confident they can take risks and try new things and put forth greater effort for success results.

Below I am including information for event dates, basic award opportunities, and links for students and parents to explore.  Agricultural Education programs utilizing their FFA charter design and encourage students to participate in experiences from the "three circle model" as seen below: Classroom Instruction, FFA (leadership), and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE for out of the classroom experience).  

FFA Event Dates - at a glance from NJ Ag Ed Calendar of Events

• LEAD Conference Oct. 6, and 7
• Fall CDE's (Dairy Products & Processing, Fruit & Vegetable ID, Land Judging, Turfgrass Management) Novemeber 16th
• 212 Conference - Leadership for Personal Growth December 9th
• NJ FFA State Officer Candidate School January 27th
• National FFA Week - February 17th to Feb 24th
• Advocacy & Legislative Leadership Day and college fair February 22nd
• NJ World Food Prize Youth Institute - March TBD
• Floral Design CDE and Horticulture Exposition March 9th
• State Officer Nominating Committee Applications due March 15th
• NJ State FFA Degree, National FFA American Degree Applications Due March 15th
• Proficiency Award Applications due March 15th
• Farm Business Management, Forestry, and Meat Evaluation CDE's March 21st
• Applications for NJ FFA State Convention recognition awards (sixteen awards) due April 1st
• Agriscience Fair written reports due April 1st
• NJ FFA State Convention Leadership Development Events (LDE's) registration due April 9th
• Spring CDE's (Ag Technology & Mechanical Systems, Floriculture, Nursery & Landscape, Ag Sales, Environment & Natural Resources, Veterinary Science) April 19th
• Agriscience Fair poster presentation to judges April 25th
• State Dairy CDE April TBD
• NJ FFA State Convention May TBD

Record Keeping - Online record keeping is encouraged so that applications for proficiency awards and higher FFA degrees are simpler.

• Utilize The Agriculture Experience Tracker for keeping online records
• AET does have a mobile / smart phone option for smart phone browsers

FFA Degrees - degrees earned make students stronger candidates when applying for college programs and the workforce

• Greenhand FFA Degree - Greenhand FFA Degrees are given out at the chapter level.

To receive a Greenhand FFA Degree, members must meet the following requirements:

• Enroll in an agricultural education program and have satisfactory plans for a Supervised Agricultural Experience(SAE).
• Learn and explain the FFA Creed, FFA Mission and Motto, and FFA salute.
• Describe and explain the meaning of the FFA emblem and FFA colors.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the FFA Code of Ethics and the proper use of the FFA jacket.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the history of the organization, the chapter constitution and bylaws and the chapter Program of Activities.
• Own or have access to the Official FFA Manual and the Official FFA Student Handbook.
• Submit an application for the Greenhand FFA Degree.

• Chapter FFA Degree - The Chapter FFA Degree is given to an FFA chapter’s top members.

To receive a Chapter FFA Degree, members must meet the following requirements:

• Received the Greenhand FFA Degree
• Satisfactorily completed 180 hours (or the equivalent) of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at or above the ninth grade level.
• Have an approved SAE in operation.
• Enrolled in an agriculture course
• Participated in the planning and implementation of at least three official FFA chapter activities.
• Earned and productively invested at least $150, or have worked at least 45 hours outside of scheduled class time, or a combination of the two, through their SAE.?
• Have developed plans for continued growth and improvement of their SAE.
• Effectively lead a group discussion for 15 minutes.
• Demonstrated five parliamentary law procedures.
• Show progress toward achievement in FFA award programs.
• Have a satisfactory academic record.
• Submitted a written application for the Chapter FFA Degree
• Complete a minimum of 10 hours of community service activities
• State FFA Degree - The State FFA Degree is given to the top members of a State FFA Association.
  To receive a State FFA Degree, members must meet the following requirements:

• Received a Chapter FFA Degree.
• Have been an active FFA member for at least two years (24 months) at the time of receiving the State FFA Degree
• Have completed at least 2 years (360 hours) of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at our above the ninth grade level, which includes an SAE.
• Have earned and productively invested at least $1,000, or have worked at least 300 hours outside of schedule class time through an SAE.
• Demonstrated leadership ability by performing 10 parliamentary law procedures, giving a six-minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or FFA, and serving as an FFA officer, committee chairperson, or committee member.
• Have a satisfactory academic record, certified by the agriculture teacher and the school principal or superintendent.
• Participated in the planning and implementation of the chapter’s Program of Activities.
• Participated in at least five different FFA activities above the chapter level.
• Complete at least 25 hours of community service in a minimum of two different activities. All community service hours are cumulative, i.e. the 10 community service hours used to obtain the chapter degree can be used toward the state degree.

• American FFA Degree

The American FFA Degree is awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs).

Approximately 3,500 American FFA Degrees are handed out each year at theNational FFA Convention. That number represents less than half of one percent of all FFA members, making it one of the organization’s highest honors.

In addition to their degree, each recipient receives a gold American FFA Degree key.

The top American FFA Degree recipients from each state may also be nominated by for a Star Award.

• worked 2,250 unpaid hours in excess of scheduled class time; 
• Any combination of hours, times a factor of 3.56 plus actual dollars earned and productively invested must be equal to or greater than the number 10,000. 
• Hours used for the purpose of producing earnings reported as productively invested income shall not be duplicated as hours of credit to meet the minimum requirements for the degree.

Proficiency Awards  
The Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through their SAEs, have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers.  SAE records must be at least one full year and a sufficient number of hours to demonstrate proficiency (greater than one hour per week over 52 weeks).

Let's get Rolling!

Welcome to all our new faces and returning students!  We have started classroom lessons, training for NJ FFA state Career Development Events (CDE's), shared stories about what we did and produced over the summer break.  Pictured here is a welcome sign in the Ag Sci building for students, a senior with eggplant fruit from a plant breeding project, and afternoon students learning how to use sight, smell, taste, and associate sweet, salty, sour, and bitter with locations on their tongue.  Each student had five samples to explore and record results with.  Some were unpleasantly surprised with buttermilk!  There were some funny faces made.

Best wishes to bright futures

2017 Agricultural Science Graduates

Best wishes to all the 2017 Seniors graduating (including those not pictured) from Ag Sciences.  You all worked very hard and I hope your four years with us serves you well in your bright futures.  Looking forward to updates in your career pursuits and you are all missed.  Thanks for a great experience!

More Science Please!

Students have completed their safety units and have moved onto to live experiments.  Below is a photo of the Intro to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) students using a variety of skills and tools to prepare for an analysis activity.

Plant Science students are investigating soilless media properties by designing their own experiment to test soil-like properties.

Biotech Students are harvesting DNA from strawberries; however, the real task is creating and writing the lab procedure / protocol prior to performing the lab.  They also are applying their calculation skills and learning proper storage procedures.

Ag Research and Development students have chosen a project for the year that will answer a question / solve a problem, completed a brainstorming activity, created a problem statement, identified project and experimentation constraints, found publication resources, and are now performing a feasibility study for possible problem solutions.

The AFNR and Plant Science students are seen below working together to harvest lettuce.  These students, and upperclassmen, planted seeds, transplanted, and maintained them to be used in the Culinary Arts program.  This program operates Tradwins, our school restaurant, and is hosting an event this week for our CTE Advisory Committee members where our lettuces will be used in meals being served during this event.