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!