November 2017 Program of the Month: State College Little Lions

All across the great state of Pennsylvania there are 145 school districts that have Agriculture Education courses and the FFA program. Each month we like to highlight a chapter that has stood out from the rest. November's program of
the month goes to State College Area High School, Little Lions FFA Chapter.

Background Knowledge
State College Area High School's first Agricultural Educator was Edwin Dale in 1929, and since then there has been five others who have or are currently teaching at State College. Those include Robert Smith, Donald Cross, Dave Seamans, Paul Heasley, and Jessica Harpster. Former students that have went through the program at State College that are now teachers are Matthew Rider, Allison Hover, and Morgan Campbell, and previous student teachers are Jennifer-Stinglin-Keefer and Lydia Everhart. 

Classroom Instruction
In the classroom the students have a choice of four career paths which include Animal Sciences, Plant Sciences, Natural Resources, and Ag Mechanics. Some of the courses offered are Ag Science I, Exploring Ag Science, Large Animal Science, Equine Science, Horticulture, Landscaping, Agroecosystems, Wildlife, Ag Mech Construction, and Ag Mech Power. Some innovation that they have done in the classroom include production of hydroponic plants using Dutch Bucket System and Aeroponic system in their greenhouse. They also had processed and marketed 220 bottles of the hot sauce the developed its name is rather interesting, "Peachy Sweet Raspberry Heat."

FFA Accomplishments
State College Little Lions FFA Chapter has been successful in recent months with their 4th place Poultry Judging Team at the Eastern States Exposition, receiving a $3,000 donation to the chapter, and Justin Kurtz, a student, who was elected to a Pennsylvania FFA State Officer position.


SAE Accomplishments
Their recent SAE accomplishments are four students are currently completing work placement experiences and all 16 new freshman are entering SAE records into the AET record book system. 

State College Little Lions are thriving and accomplishing great things! We look forward to seeing what all your program will produce in the future as for the innovative thinking that you have now!

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.

Luke Kerstetter

Communication Team Member

Twitter Handle: @lmkerstetter96

2020 Agricultural Education Student Teacher