As I travel around the country on speaking engagements people sitting next to me on the airplane often strike up a conversation. When they learn I work with agriculture teachers and county extension agents, they typically state “I didn’t know those programs still exist!” Many people are not aware that agricultural and extension education still exists and is even thriving in numerous states.
In 1986, Dr. Dennis Nosal, the Superintendent of Norris Public Schools in Norris, Nebraska was asked by the patrons of the school district “Why do we continue to offer Vocational Agriculture in the public schools?” In response to the question, Dr. Nosal asked the agriculture teacher at Norris High School in Firth, Nebraska , Mr. Doug Malone to prepare a response.
That response was published in The Voice newspaper of Hickman, Nebraska. I have attached that clipping at the end of this Footnote. However, what Mr. Malone said was so important, and not everyone reads the Footnote clippings, I have transcribed what Mr. Malone said below. So, in essence, Mr. Malone is our guest columnist this week via Dr. Nosal.
Voc Ag Offered for Good Reasons at the High School Level
Recently I’ve had a number of patrons ask me, “Why do we continue to offer Vocational Agriculture in the public schools?” I feel that the best way to answer this concern would be a response from the Vocational Agriculture teacher. Therefore, I asked Mr. Malone, the Vocational Agriculture teacher at Norris to tell me “WHY VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE” The following response was given to me by Mr. Malone.
The Vocational Agriculture Program at Norris High School provides quality education to the Norris students. The program consists of Vocational Agriculture I, II, III & IV. and nine week courses in veterinary science, welding. and 8th grade exploratory agriculture.
The Vocational Agriculture class provides a place for the students to apply math and science principles in practical situations. applications include algebra to determine feed rations, biology in growing plants. chemistry knowledge to understand soil and fertilizer tests, and physics in understanding hydraulic principles. The excellence of education in the basic areas is greatly enhanced when students experience practical application of the theories. The students can actually see the theory in action and have a better understanding of the principles involved. The Vocational Agriculture class is a reinforcement of the basics and encourages the students to work harder in their other classes.
The learning by doing approach of vocational agriculture enables the students to learn principles and skills that better prepare them to enter the job market.
Today’s agriculture requires approximately nine persons in supporting agricultural businesses to serve and supply each farmer contributing participant involved in production agriculture or agribusiness requires more preparation and continual specialized technical education and updating.
Agriculture and agriculture related occupations provide many jobs in the State of Nebaska. In 1984. the meat industry employed 15,000 people. the dairy industry 1,400 people. and the agricultural services area (soil preparation, crop service, veterinary service, farm labor, and farm management) employed 2500 people. The annual salary of these jobs are estimated at 298 million dollars. This does not Include extension agents. teacher educators. feed salesman. machinery personal. and other agribusiness/agriculture related people needed to keep the farmer on the job.
In a report entitled “Inventory in Our Children: Business and Public Schools,” in 1985 the Committee for Economic Development. a non-profit organization of businessmen and educators which conducts policy research on economic issues stated “Only in the areas of business and office skills and agriculture skills does there appear to be a direct link between the vocational instruction in school and their future career.” The students in those classes tend to go into those fields for jobs and use the skills learned to excel in the job market or college. The school must provide students the opportunity to develop work habits and skills which will enable them to succeed in the future.
An important unit of instruction and activity in which a student must participate in vocational agriculture is the supervised occupational experience program. Students must either have a production enterprise: raising livestock. crops gardens. or other production enterprises, or agribusiness program: work for a farmer. feed company, elevator, or other agribusiness occupation. The students must plan what types of skills they will learn, prepare budgets, sign agreements. and keep records the entire year for their project. The importance of accurate and complete records is also emphasized, conscientious work habits arc stressed to maintain jobs and keep accurate records.
Another important aspect of the Vocational Agriculture Program at Norris is the leadership skills students Iearn through the Future Farmers of America. From planning and using parliamentary procedure for a meeting, to providing community support, students learn they can be a vital part of the community and provide new leadership for the future. Leadership opportunities are encouraged in such projects as community ballpark improvements. picking up Christmas trees for fish habitat in local lakes. providing fruit for Christmas baskets. displaying a safety booth. and ringing Salvation Army bells. Many other activities are used to encourage the students to support their communities.
Former U.S. Department of Education Secretary. Terrel Bell. in a speech. entitled “Investing in Brainpower” on January 16. 1984. Stated, “We have Vocational Agriculture in many high schools and the FFA Chapters have been very successful in solving one of our greatest problems. That problem is motivation. Youth must want to learn before they learn. And through an organization known as the Future Farmers of America, we have youth highly motivated to learn and apply what they’re learning in school.”
The agricultural industry is the largest industry in Nebraska with a $7 billion gross income. Agriculture is Number One in America’s business, America’s exports, and in America’s economic and military strength. Agriculture is important and history has proven the value of quality vocational agricultural education.
We must provide the students classes which reinforce the basic principles learned in other classes. We must also provide the students training for jobs in the largest industry in Nebraska. With a strong Vocational Agriculture program, these needs will be met.
From Dr. Dennis Nosal. Superintendent of Norris Public School.
Figure 1. Doug Malone taught agriculture for 32 years and was also a 4-H volunteer during this time. He retired in 2016 and received the Heart of 4-H Award. “I enjoy watching kids light up when they accomplish new skills or things they never thought they could do,” says Doug.
Concluding Remarks
The response given by Doug Malone as to the value of the agricultural education program is on target. In my 40+ years in the profession I have not seen a better explanation as to why we have agricultural education programs in our high schools.
We might want to update the language and make a tweak or two, but it would be appropriate for us to use Doug’s essay as a model and prepare a document for our school as to why we have agricultural education. Then, when we or our administrators are asked about why we still teach agriculture, we will have the answer.
Figure 2. From The Voice, Hickman, Nebraska, January 23, 1986