“We believe in the future of agriculture.”

This article for Classroom Corner couldn’t come at a more appropriate time.

Recently the Blue Mountain Eagle printed an article that was titled “Ag: Bracing for the future.” The article spoke of changing times, current trends, and preparing for the future. This is something that Grant Union’s Agricultural program tries to impress upon our students everyday.

As the agriculture instructor at Grant Union High School, I have the opportunity to see the future of agriculture growing right before my eyes.

In the Introduction to Agriculture class, 35 freshman and sophomore students recently spent time memorizing, speaking, and reflecting on what the future of agriculture is. Students were asked to present and reflect on the “The FFA Creed.”

Throughout this unit we are working on developing the enormously important skill of public speaking. Public speaking is just one of the many units that our students participate in throughout the year. However, this task allows our young agriculturalist to walk away from the unit with so much more than the skill of public speaking.

If you have never read the creed, you may not understand the importance of what it says. It explains the importance of serving your home and community, understanding the joys and discomforts of an agricultural life, understanding that many things we enjoy today have come to us from the struggles of past generations of agriculturalists, and most importantly to believe in themselves as well as in the future of agriculture.

When you have a young student standing in front of a room full of their peers presenting “The FFA Creed” word for word, with meaning, and passion, it is enough to send chills down your spine. I feel so refreshed after this unit because it allows me to see that the future of agriculture is ever strengthening. These students will carry future generation of agriculturalists through the next phases of agricultural change.

If in doubt about our next generation, I invite you to come to our classroom and see the strengths of Grant Union’s agricultural students.