Summit Highlights Opportunities, Challenges Impacting Agricultural Education Programs

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 50 educators devoted to teaching students about agriculture recently gathered for a one-day summit to discuss issues facing the industry and how to educate the public about the origins of the food on their dinner tables.

The summit, hosted by the state Department of Agriculture and held at the Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, provided agricultural education professionals with the opportunity to hear updates from the departments of Agriculture, Education and Labor & Industry, as well as leading national partners who are experts in agricultural education.

According to Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding, Pennsylvania is home to more than 140 approved agricultural education programs in grades 9 - 12, with nearly 18,000 students taking agriculture classes during their high school career.

"Pennsylvania has a proud tradition of agricultural education excellence," said Redding. "The men and women who have made the decision to teach agriculture in Pennsylvania are among our most valued partners here at the department. The summit was a very important chance to thank them for their work and learn from them what we can do to improve the process of shaping the next generation of agricultural leaders."

Presenters from the departments of Education and Labor & Industry discussed High Priority Occupations Standards, which are designed to ensure programs are relevant to today's labor force. The Lancaster Workforce Investment Board also shared a case study with the teachers on work done at the regional level to recognize farmers and ranchers as a high priority occupation.  

Other presentations touched on the career outlook for agricultural education students; the development and implementation of a national, standards-based curriculum for agricultural education that is now available; and an update on the National FFA Organization.

The summit also featured an open discussion session where the group shared insight on key opportunities and challenges facing agricultural education in Pennsylvania. In follow-up to the summit, participants will create working groups to help craft next steps related to those key topics and work to broaden awareness of agricultural education in Pennsylvania.

Redding said this work is important given the demands that will be placed on the world's farmers in the coming decades.

"In just 40 years this world will grow from 6 billion to 9 billion people," Redding added. "It is imperative that our agricultural education programs work today to put in place the pathways to develop the leaders who will grapple with the challenges of providing food, fiber and fuel for this growing population and the related efforts to conserve our natural resources."  

For more information about agricultural education in Pennsylvania, visit www.marketplaceforthemind.com.

Media contacts: Justin Fleming, 717-787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture