We could tell you all day long why we think you should choose a career in agricultural education. But don't take it from us - here are words straight from ag education students, current teachers, and leaders in ag industry.

Mr. Chad Massar
Joliet High School
Joliet, Montana

Ag Teacher for 13 years
B.A. Montana State University-Bozeman in Agricultural Education.  

“My favorite part of being an ag teacher is doing something new in every class every day.  The variety to get to do a lot of things and we don’t let the books get in the way of our student’s education!”

“Teaching Ag is a calling just like any other profession.  You will have days you hate it, but on the days you love it ( which will outnumber the days you don’t) you can really love it!”

“A memorable moment from my teaching experience came when I had an autistic student recite the first paragraph of the FFA Creed, I had told him he could just write it down, as per his IEP, but he got up in front of the class and hit it word for word, the other students picked up their game after that!”

Aaron Geiman
North Carroll High School
Hampstead, Maryland

Ag Teacher for 8 years
B.S. in Animal Science and Ag Education
Oklahoma State University
M.Ed in Career and Technical Education
University of Maryland-Eastern Shore

“The biggest surprise has been realizing how many students grow into adults that truly value their experiences from ag ed and FFA.”

“Agriculture teachers are different than other teachers because we develop the whole student – mentally, physically and emotionally.  Mentally by what we teach – classroom.  Physically by how we teach – laboratory and SAE activities.  Emotionally through FFA and leadership development.”

Describe being an ag teacher in one word:
“Invigorating.”

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Sara Vandenbos
Agricultural Education Senior
Utah State University
 http://usu.edu/aste  

University Size: 24,000 students
University Ag Education Advisor: Dr. Brian Warnick

High School Ag Program: Meridian High School,  Meridian, Idaho
High School Ag Teachers: Erika Cowman, Jack Blattner, and Steve Wilder

“My high school Ag teachers were the ones that really inspired me to go into the Agricultural Education profession.  They did not push me or say it was the best calling – they simply lived out loud.  Their ability to influence students to the level they did really changed my perspective on life and one person can really make a difference.”

“I would highly recommend USU’s Agricultural Education program.  USU attracts students, like me, from all over the west because of their quality, dedication, attention to each one of their students.  My professors held an open door policy and I knew I could always count on them if I had a question or needed some advice in a situation.”

Advice to someone thinking about going into Ag Education:
“Ag Ed is a very diverse program as you are versed in many subject areas. You are taught everything from genetics to floriculture so be prepared to learn a lot of information but have fun while doing it.  We are one of the few majors that still use hands on techniques so most of your classes will be taught using multiple learning strategies. If you want to make a difference in the lives of young people, have fun teaching agriculture, and get to be around all those blue jackets – Agricultural Education is the major for you!”

Kellie Claflin
Agricultural Education senior
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
http://www.uwrf.edu/ag-education

University Size: 6700 students
Advisors: Dr. James Graham and Dr. Tim Buttles

High School Ag Program: Osseo-Fairchild High School, Wisconsin
High School Ag Teacher: Mr. Eric Boettcher

“Some days it seems as if agricultural education almost chose me. As a high school student sitting in my agriculture classes, I started thinking about how I would teach the content – which inspired me to become an agricultural educator!”

“River Falls is a great place to go for Ag Ed! You get to know the faculty personally, as well as get the chance to participate in a variety of activities ranging from presenting parliamentary procedures workshops around the state of Wisconsin to helping with career development events held on campus.”

Advice to someone thinking about going into Ag Education:
“Go for it! Agricultural education is so diverse – there’s something for everyone!”

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Mr. Glen Stith
Vice-President, Commercial Operations North America/Latin America North, Crop Protection Division, Monsanto

Former Mead County High School FFA Member, Kentucky
Kentucky State FFA President 1972-1973

“Agricultural education helps to develop accountable and responsible leaders as future employees through leadership, communication skills and a sense of ownership, accountability and personal responsibility.”

“One summer, while at FFA Leadership Camp in Kentucky, my advisor, Mr. James Greer, pulled me aside on the second day and told me that he was disappointed with my lack of engagement and participation. He told me that he thought I was capable of making very significant achievements in my professional life and that the experience this week would help me develop myself as a leader. At the end of the week, I was awarded with an Outstanding Leader Award and went on to become State President and very successful in the corporate world. Because he believed in me, gave me tough feedback and challenged me, I set higher expectations for myself. I am very grateful for that to this very day.”

Mr. Vern Hawkins
President, U.S. Commercial Operations
Syngenta Crop Protection
Former member North Miami FFA Chapter, Indiana

“Agricultural education has a more important place in the world’s future than our population realizes.  Helping young people understand the contribution agriculture makes and its interdependencies with science, chemistry, math and other core subjects is important.”

“My ag teacher/FFA advisor (Mr. Keith Overton) made learning fun.  Many of his teaching techniques involved experiential learning, which made many of the concepts he taught easier to apply and retain.  Mr. Overton was also an effective motivator.  He utilized many FFA events to challenge my classmates and I to set goals and pursue achievement of them. I chose to pursue a career in agriculture because of the enjoyment and learning I gained from Mr. Overton and my FFA experiences.”

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The National Teach Ag Campaign is an initiative of the National Council for Agricultural Education, led by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE). It is sponsored by Campbell Soup Company and Landmark Nurseries as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.