What is Agricultural Education?

The most commonly heard phrase when walking on the campus of Penn State University,  watching a Nittany Lion football game or attending the graduation ceremonies are the words We Are! The slogan which has become a trademark of the University has been around since 1948. Over the years it has been used in many ways and for many different occasions but is always brought back to the phrase We Are Penn State!

Ever since I was a little girl, this phrase is one that I have known well. Having a die hard Penn State family I knew from the time I could talk that when someone yells We Are, you yell back Penn State! However now that I am a student at Penn State I have began thinking of this phrase in a different way. My major has become the core focus of my time and got me thinking what is Agriculture and Extension Education? What are we?

When most people think of the word agriculture the first and sometimes only thing that comes to mind is farming. And when you hear the word education, you think of a teacher. So to most people the Ag. Ed. major is basically teaching about farming. However, its so very much more than that. 

In an agriculture classroom the things learned and the experiences the students have are ones they will carry with them for a lifetime.  Agriculture education is designed to provide students with competencies to make them aware of and prepared for the world of work. It teaches them skills in public speaking, teamwork, finances, plant and animal science, small engines, community service, leadership and so many more. It provides skills students can transfer from the classroom setting to their careers and instruction that will engage students in the globalization of agriculture as the solution for environmental demands, food safety, technology, natural resource protection, and urbanization. Agriculture Education is more than teaching students about farming. It is about educating them, being a positive agent of change and giving them the knowledge to be successful.

This video by Agriculture and Extension Education majors Morgan Campbell, Kate Bassett and Quinn Cashell does excellent job of explaining just what an Agriculture Educator does!

So what is Agriculture and Extension Education? What are we?

We are Educators.

We are Changing Lives.

We are Making a Difference.

WE ARE PENN STATE!

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes a positive impact on the lives of students across the globe by becoming an agricultural educator, please contact the agricultural teacher education program at teachag@psu.edu. Follow us on Twitter at TeachAgPSU, on Facebook, or on our blog!

Laura Metrick

2015 Student Teacher 

@Its_LauraBeth