Cultivating the
next generation B y G ail C rouch
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of the top chapters in the state.
C l emson ’ s broad net Clemson University offers 17 bachelor’s, 14 master’s and 10 doctorate degrees within its College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences. While the university continues to offer traditional life science courses, newer courses such as biochemistry and biotechnology examine ways to increase crop production while preserving natural resources. “Students who leave Clemson will fit into a broad range of opportunities in the agriculture industry,” said Dean Tom Scott. “Many will go to work at large agribusiness companies – anything from a John Deere making agricultural equipment, to companies involved in production of food and fiber, to those involved in food processing and packaging.” Some students will return to family farms to be involved directly in food production, but they will go back with the latest technology and techniques at their disposal. Imagine, suggests Scott, “I’m sitting on a tractor utilizing modern computer technology and GPS navigation systems to do precision agriculture in a field that I am monitoring to have the least harmful impact.” Students in Clemson’s agricultural program are encouraged to participate on Creative Inquiry Teams, solving real-world agricultural challenges with other students and faculty members representing different disciplines. “Our peach team is primarily housed in the horticulture area, but its members include faculty and students involved in genetics and biochemistry,” said Scott. “They are working closely with our peach
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breeders to develop stocks that will have different flavors or drought resistance.” Educating the educators The Agricultural Education program, also housed at Clemson, is educating agricultural education teachers who in turn will prepare their students for future careers in areas such as production farming, golf course management, forestry, food science and veterinary studies. With the 2005 passage of the Education and Economic Development Act, now called Personal Pathways to Success, 16 career clusters were created
South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation's Ag in the Classroom program provides hands-on learning for K-8 grade teachers.
in secondary schools, including the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Career Cluster. More than 100 schools and 11,000 students participate in agricultural education programs across the state, and the demand
for new programs is growing even in urban districts, said Dr. Tom Dobbins, program director. In addition, Agricultural Education oversees the state’s FFA program (formerly Future Farmers of America, now simply known as National FFA) and continuing education for farmers and teachers through the South Carolina Young Farmer and Agribusiness Association (SCYFAA). Patrick Earle, ag ed instructor at McBee High School and a National Hall of Fame teacher, said 75 percent of students in his small school participate in the ag ed program. Most are among the top academic performers and plan to pursue higher education. Half of his students now are female, and many hold leadership positions in FFA. Much has changed since he began teaching 32 years ago, Earle said. “We’re not just teaching ‘plows and sows’ anymore. Technology has become such a big part of what we do,” said Earle. The South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation supports education through its Ag in the Classroom program. Ag Literacy Director Vonne Knight leads 12 to 15 workshops and a one-week summer institute each year, providing K-8 grade teachers with cross-discipline lesson plans to help them teach their students about agriculture. Since 2004, the program has reached approximately 2,500 educators and more than 125,000 students. Knight said many students and teachers have little experience with agriculture. “Our goal is to bridge the gap between perceptions and the reality about farming,” said Knight. “I’ve witnessed too many kids who believe clothes come from the mall, and food comes from the supermarket,” said South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation President David Winkles. “It is incumbent upon us in the agriculture industry to do what we can to help consumers learn that their food and fiber begin on the farm. The Ag in the Classroom program does just that.” Winkles said it is rewarding to hear teachers tell him how much they have learned about the importance of agriculture and how excited they are to get that information into the classroom. “I truly believe what we are doing in this area is making a difference and helping teachers and their students grasp the enormity of the agriculture industry in South Carolina and across the globe,” said Winkles.
C ourtesy of S C F arm bureau federation , patrick earle / mcbee high school , S . C . state fair
lemson junior Caleb Miller is the fourth generation on his family’s small beef farm in Saluda, S.C. Like many family farms, Miller Farms faces challenges that include high costs for equipment and supplies, unfavorable weather and a shortage of farmland for expansion. Miller plans to complete his degree in agricultural mechanization and business and go to work for an agricultural corporation, while helping run the family farm on the side. Miller is typical of many young farmers today. Most will seek some form of higher education to make a living. Fortunately, South Carolina has numerous agricultural education programs to prepare students for a variety of careers in the McBee High School FFA members receive the Governor's Citation from the South Carolina FFA Association for being one agribusiness industry.