Middletown's Agri-Science Curriculum Draws Students from Clinton

Mayor’s Note: Welcome to a new section of the Clinton Patch, dedicated to informing readers about the Middletown High School Agriculture Science and Technology (Ag-Sci) Program in Middletown, CT and the impressive work the students produce each school year. Thanks to Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter president Heather Cashman, a senior from Clinton, the force behind this special feature. Other participating students from our readership area are Keegan Eveland Clinton(senior), Caroline White(junior, chapter reporter) and her sister Maddie (freshman) White from Westbrook; Sarah Asbury (senior, chapter secretary), Kayden Vanderwiede (sophomore, chapter parliamentarian) Cade Nepoletano (junior) Megan Madore (sophomore) Jessica Rustek (junior) all from Killingworth.

By MHS Ag-Sci Correspondent Heather Cashman

MIDDLETOWN---Our first article focuses its lens on Agricultural Education and the three-ring model it is built upon: classroom instruction, FFA, and SAE.

Why publish an article on Middletown’s program in the Clinton Patch?

Ag-Sci programs in Connecticut are regional programs serving different districts. Middletown’s program serves all of Middlesex County, as well as Rocky Hill. Clinton historically has provided some of our best and brightest students who come to the program committed to learning the curriculum.

Students participate in the 3-ring educational model: three core areas that are harmoniously intra-connected, enhancing one-another through synergistic practice. Classroom instruction is the day-to-day student life, where each of our students choose from a variety of classes within four main curriculum areas: Natural Resources/Environmental Science, Agriculture Mechanics, Plant Science, and Animal Science. Some of the classes include Marine Biology, Welding, Landscaping, and Animal Husbandry.

Students progress through four years of rigorous instruction that is equal parts transformational classroom and lab application to practice skills. After students graduate, Ag-Sci teachers survey alumni five years later to see how they are doing after high school, whether they are in college or pursuing a career in the agriculture industry.

The Program’s second area of focus is the Future Farmers of America (FFA), the leadership component of Ag-Ed. The National FFA Organization is the largest youth led organization in America. Its mission is to develop students’ ‘potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education’.

At MHS, students are enrolled as agriculture students, they are also members of the National FFA. The FFA offers a variety of competitions that help develop student’s knowledge about agriculture and grow leadership skills.

Students can also participate in the FFA by applying to become a Chapter, District, State, or National Officer. The FFA is a student run and led organization, so by becoming an officer, these students lead the FFA and hold meetings and activities for the other FFA members.

Left to right: Lily Doan, Caroline White (Westbrook), Kayden Vanderwiede (Killingworth), Isabella Scarfo, Sarah Asbury (Killingworth), Thomas Debo, Jake Toth, Heather Cashman (Clinton).

The final area of Agriculture Education is Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). Each student in the MHS ASTE program is required to have a SAE. The purpose of SAE is to provide opportunities to students to apply their knowledge and skill into real-world application and to develop their understanding of the career field and industry. Each grade level must complete a set number of hours for their SAE, ranging from 45-200 per year. An example of a SAE would be working for an animal shelter, creating your own landscaping business or completing an agri-science project. It is a way that students can get first-hand experience in the careers they may want to pursue.

The three-ring model of Agriculture Education is offered so that students can succeed by gaining real world experience and developing leadership skills applied to real-world situations. As the beginning of the school year arrives, it will be exciting to see what new heights the Ag-Sci students at Middletown High School achieve.