New Ag Curriculum for Missouri Middle
School Students
“Exploring Agriculture: A World of Opportunities” is
“FCS Financial is dedicated to serving
a new curriculum coming in 2019 for middle school
agriculture and rural communities,” says David
students in Missouri. Funding for the curriculum
Janish, FCS Financial CEO. “Inaccurate perceptions
was provided by FCS Financial to help teachers
about ag production as well as the need for a
prepare students for advanced level ag studies and ag
growing workforce in ag-related careers can be
professions.
improved by providing a quality education to all
Agriculture programs in Missouri middle schools
students. Having these classes available in middle
is growing with 29 programs added in 2016-17, which
school provides a strong foundation to build on.”
is up from an average of 6 new programs per year for
Instructors are able to pick and choose from six
the last 10 years. Additionally, enrollment is growing.
modules each lasting nine weeks. Modules may be
Since the development of the original curriculum in
selected to provide quarter, semester or year-long
1991, there has been a 450 percent growth in total
exploratory ag classes. The modules include animal
number of enrollments.
science, plant science, food
Average enrollment growth
science, natural resources, ag
has been 3 percent for the
systems and agribusiness.
past 10 years and is expected
“Middle school agriculture
to continue.
classes is an important
“In today’s world we
component of agriculture
know that early exploration
education that often gets
of career opportunities can
over looked. This new
be key to a student’s success
curriculum will offer more
as they progress through
hands on activities to get
their formal education into a
“...hands on activities to get middle school students
career,” says Leon Busdieker,
excited about agriculture
middle school students
Director of Agriculture,
excited about agriculture...” and the opportunities
Food and Natural Resources
it offers,” says Amanda
at Missouri Department of
Sullivan, Montgomery Co.
Elementary and Secondary Education. “The new FCS
R-II Agriculture Instructor. “I plan on using this
sponsored Exploring Agriculture curriculum will
curriculum in my eighth grade agriculture education
provide agriculture teachers across the state with a
class to help create more hands on critical thinking
much sought after tool needed to help their students
activities and lessons.”
develop a solid understanding of today’s ag industry
In 2014, FCS Financial sponsored the new ag
and its career opportunities.”
curriculum for Missouri high schools. The new
With materials last revised in 2000, changing
sixth through eighth grade modules build upon that
demographics without direct connection to agriculture
existing infrastructure. The curriculum is web-based
in many areas, a growing demand for ag employees
and integrated with school technology using Google
and a shortage of ag teachers, the need for a high-
classrooms, Canvas and Blackboard. Online delivery
quality, turn-key curriculum was obvious. Developed
of the materials allows for targeted updates and
by Vivayic, a learning solutions company, with a
expansion. Instructors can access the the materials
committee of educators and industry representatives,
free on the Missouri FFA Association website.
the lessons reflect modern agriculture and teaching
practices.
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