Penn State's Domestic Study Away Program: Taking Success on the Go with #TeachAgDSA18

The 2015 Domestic Study Away took place in  Mississippi,
where students visited a catfish farm (above), toured cotton
production, explored international trade at the Port of Gulf,
and more.

Since 2013, students from Penn State have traveled all across the country, racking up thousands of miles to explore the transformative nature of school-based agricultural education as it relates to communities, schools, and most importantly the lives of students.

This year we're excited to have the opportunity to send students to the New England area to explore the agriculture industry and school-based agricultural education with #TeachAgDSA18. 

The Domestic Study Away program gives students a chance to broaden perspectives and immerse themselves in the vast diversity of agriculture in our own nation by hearing it directly from the source - a unique opportunity in itself. Typically each year includes industry tours, community engagement, meaningful discussion with peers from local universities, and a professional development focus in the area of school-based agricultural education. 

To really capture the essence of the Domestic Study Away program, we invite you to browse through the past DSA experiences of current Penn State students and alumni: 

2017 Domestic Study Away, #PSUAgEd2WI

Professional Development Focus: 

Exploring gender within the agriculture industry, secondary Agricultural Education classrooms, and the Agricultural Education profession.

Student Chair: 

Rose Cowan (@cowan_rosalind)

#PSUAgEd2018 Student Teacher

Digital Reflection:

http://teachagpsu.blogspot.com/2017/05/5th-annual-domestic-study-away.html

2016 Domestic Study Away, PSUAgEd2TN

Professional Development Focus: 

Using #AgEdu for STEM instruction in Urban and Rural Settings.

Student Chair: 

Nathan Repetz (@N8_Repetz)

Current Benton Area Agriscience Teacher

Digital Reflection:

http://teachagpsu.blogspot.com/2016/05/its-wrap-domestic-study-away-2016.html

2015 Domestic Study Away, #PSUAgEd2Miss

Professional Development Focus: 

Instructing financial literacy through work-based learning in rural Appalachian areas through school-based agricultural education.

Student Chair: 

Janae Herr (@kjmcmichael)

Current Lampeter-Strausberg Agriscience Teacher

Digital Reflection:

http://teachagpsu.blogspot.com/2015/05/mississippi-mindsets-reflecting-back-on.html

2014 Domestic Study Away, #TeachAgDSA2014

Professional Development Focus: 

Integrating Service Learning Pedagogies through Farm to School Programming.

Student Chair: 

Jillian Gordon (@jillianedu)

Current Clarke Central (GA) Agriscience Teacher

Digital Reflection:

http://teachagpsu.blogspot.com/2014/06/colorado-adventures-reflecting-back-on.html

2013 Domestic Study Away, #PSUAgEd2AZ

(Pilot Year)

Professional Development Focus:

Multicultural competency particularly including those serving the Navajo Reservation

Digital Reflection:

http://teachagpsu.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-domestic-study-abroad-teach-ag.html.

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.

Hunter Kauffman, Student Blogger

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

College of Agricultural Sciences

Instagram: kauffman_hunter

Email: hlk5120@psu.edu

March 2016 Program of the Month: Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology with Big Valley FFA!

In Pennsylvania we have over 150 FFA chapters that represent the Blue and Gold at its finest. There is one chapter that has stood above the rest this month to become our October Program of the Month. This month The Big Valley FFA Chapter at The Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology High School a is that program!

Big Valley FFA Members teaching 3rd grade
students about goats at the farm tour. 

Big Valley FFA was chartered in 1958, and has continued to grow since then! Big Valley FFA and the Agriculture Program is uniquely located in Mifflin County's area technical school. When Ms. Annette Sprenkel started at The Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology it was only a half day program, now the Academy is a full day program!  The Academy is a three year program that is housed at the area vocational school.  Each year of the program is different.  The first year is introductory to agriculture classes, the second year is "management" level agriculture and the third year is the true career development part.  In the third year of the program students participate in veterinary science, business and entrepreneurship driven classes and experiences.  

Student gaining technical experience at their
Artificial Insemination Certification Course.

The school is home to various animal and plant projects, including an onsite barn and greenhouse.  The barn is home to sheep who are lambing, chickens, rabbits and hogs and a sow expecting piglets soon!  The greenhouse flowers will bring in nearly $1400 this spring at the annual spring Greenhouse Sale.   Big Valley FFA members are always receiving hands on technical training, including  being certified in artificial insemination, which four of her students received.  Big Valley FFA is proud of their seniors and all their accomplishments.  Her students' success demonstrate that they truly "believe in the future of agriculture".  

Senior Accomplishments:

1 Accepted to Pittsburgh Vet Tech Institute

1 accepted a part time combine crew position in Texas 

1 Accepted to Delaware Valley College with a $28,000 yearly academic scholarship

1 Accepted to Point Park with a $30,000 yearly academic Scholarship

1 Accepted a full time position at a local Farrowing unit

Recent Chapter Accomplishments:

4 Keystone Degree recipients at PA Farm Show
6 Students Received FFA Jackets at PA Farm Show
Recently sold and finished 6 Market hogs

Farm Show Success!

The growth and commitment to preparing the next generation of agriculturalists is eveident at Big Valley FFA!  Congratulations on being named the March, Teach Ag! Program of the Month! 

Want to hear what is going on right now at Mifflin County and Big Valley FFA? Check them out on Facebook!

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.

Kayla Hack

Student Blogger

Twitter Handle: @hackkayla

2017 Agriculture Education Student Teacher