The agriculture program at Schoharie High School was recently named as a recipient of a $2,250 Agriculture Education Incentive Grant awarded by Cornell University’s Agriculture Education and Outreach Program. The grant program provides local public school based agricultural education programs with grant awards to secure necessary resources for a high quality agricultural education program, including curriculum development, professional development, program development, resource acquisitions and program coordination.
“Our agriculture program is thrilled to have been selected as a recipient,” said Taylor Bogardus, agriculture teacher. “We plan to use the funds for purchasing new laboratory and shop equipment as well as program coordination to allow for new and exciting opportunities for students throughout the year in FFA and work based learning experiences. The three-circle model of agricultural education provides rigorous and relevant learning experiences for students as they prepare for careers and post secondary education in the diverse field of agriculture, food and natural resources.”
Through the generous support of the Department of Agriculture and Markets, the New York State Governor’s Office, Cornell University, and the efforts of New York Farm Bureau, the Empire State Coalition of Agriculture Organizations, and the New York Association of Agriculture Education, the Agriculture Education Incentive Grant has been able to provide funding to eligible programs for the last three years.
Agriculture education is a unique part of career and technical education that strives to enhance student education through the three-circle model of agricultural education. The three-circle model includes Classroom Instruction, FFA and work-based learning known as Supervised Agricultural Experiences. Currently, there are 211 schools offering agricultural education programs to more than 10,000 students across New York state.