Spring 2026 Highlights

Second year Agricultural Science students follow a Plant Science curriculum as their main academic source. In October each year Plant Science students learn hydroponic system requirements. They then design, fabricate, and maintain a hydroponic system. Two students worked together to design and construct a small system that they used to produce a great lettuce crop. The harvest lettuce went to the Culinary Arts program for use in the kitchen and served to staff. 

In February each year our students spend a day learning about leadership and advocacy through new Jersey FFA. Students enjoy hearing from agriculture industry professionals, completing some group breakout activities to apply leadership skills, and a nice lunch. 

Finally, we had much to celebrate for this school year. Many state level accomplishments were made and students were recognized at the New Jersey FFA State Convention. 

Eden won 1st place in her Agriscience Fair division. She used her work from her senior research project. Her research question was "Does having calming green spring blooming plants help with learning in our classrooms?". Her results were interesting and she had the ability to reveal perspective from the data that was meaningful. Eden is currently studying to become a teacher.

2025-2026 Somerset Officer Team

Avion in his second year competing in the NJ FFA Fall Career Development Event for Land judging took 4th overall and 5th in the hands-on portion. He is motivated for moving up this fall and getting more peers excited about this event. He plans to study ocean biology in the future.

Charlotte placed 4th for the hands-on portions of the NJ FFA Winter Food Science CDE. This was the first time she competed in this event. 

Paula competed in the NJ FFA Spring Poultry Evaluation CDE and placed 3rd overall. This was the first time she competed in this event. 

Below is proud achievement for our students. Three of the below students have competed in the NJ FFA Veterinary Science CDE in the past. Two are seniors and competed four times, one is a sophomore and competed twice, and our final student is a freshman with her first attempt. Eden a senior placed 5th overall. Piyusha, a freshman placed 4th overall. Teammates Jake and Mahiya earned enough points for the team of four to take 1st place for this year.

 

Trout, Soil Science, and Alumni visit during 2025 Ornament Night fundraiser

Trout, Soil Science, and Alumni visit during Ornament Night fundraiser

Trout in the Classroom is a NJ DEP program that we participate in. NJ DEP and Trout Unlimited work together to bring us trout eggs in the fall. We raise them in a small basket and let them get stronger before we release them into the tank. Students learn to monitor, maintain, and feed the trout and what cold water species like these need to survive. Many other school programs in NJ also do this. We all release the trout into waters specified by NJ DEP with a license. This is a great opportunity for students to learn and apply lessons from curriculum to ecology. 

One of the topics first year students learn is soil science. In the photo above students are learning about pore space by observing and comparing air bubbles that emerge when submerged in water. Here students are comparing less organic soil (left) to more organic soil (right). In the photos below, students are learning how to determine soil texture by hand: a ribbon test. A golf ball sized sample from each collection is dampened and kneaded/ mixed in preparation for pinching into a ribbon. The ribbon is then measured and this information is helpful when determining what plants are suitable for the soil type.

                                        

Our FFA chapter student officers and members have been organizing a holiday fundraiser for the past three years. One the best parts of this is having Agricultural Science alumni join us for the event. It gives current students a chance to connect with graduates and enjoy painting ornaments for the upcoming holiday in December. Below is a photo of our December 2025 Ornament Night group.