PSU 2014 Collegiate FFA Student Recognition

The purpose of the Collegiate FFA is to develop competent and effective leadership, create an interest in occupations dealing with the food, fiber, and natural resource systems, and develop a network of friendships and professional relationships that will carry through and assist the members after college. Each year the Penn State Collegiate FFA could not be successful without the hard work of its members! At the 2014 annual awards banquet, the collegiate FFA recognized many members who went above and beyond to help the chapter succeed!

Winners had to go through an application process that included descriptions of all the activities they participated in and an essay on why they feel they are deserving of the award. Each application is viewed by the selection committee made up of the advisor (Dr. John Ewing) and two other qualified adults.

This year’s winners are:

Bryanna Kenno (@bkenno4), a 2015 student teacher, stated “It was an honor to win outstanding junior this year! It’s so nice to know that your hard work does not go unnoticed. It was exciting to get recognized for something I am so passionate about!”

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
Student Blogger
2015 Student Teacher
@Its_LauraBeth

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

Pennsylvania FFA Kicks Off National FFA Week by “Sprouting Opportunities”!

PA FFA members get ready to start the conference.

Have you been celebrating National FFA Week?  The past two weekends FFA members from across the state of Pennsylvania attended the Agricultural Cooperation Establishes Success (ACES) conference.  Members had the opportunity to attend leadership workshops, show their moves on the dance floor, and even have an encounter with Teach Ag! at Penn State!  

Penn State lead a workshop called "Teach Ag" which focused on the big picture of agricultural education and how FFA members have a future inspiring students.  Agricultural education does not just happen in the United States; it happens worldwide.  It is important that we educate people not only in the agriculture classroom, but also use opportunities in the community.  Students also brainstormed ways that they can be advocate for agricultural education by sharing ideas on various events that we can do.  Some of the examples were: community gardens, teaching elementary students, and community Ag days.  We look forward to seeing some of these bright FFA members become possible agriculture teachers!

We were happy to have some of our dynamic AEE majors helping out with these workshops at the conference!  Those that participated were:

Caleb Wright, 2014 Student Teacher - University Park

Meagan Slates, 2014 Student Teacher - University Park

Quinn Cashell, 2014 Student Teacher - University Park

Olivia Murphy Sweet, 2016 Student Teacher - Mont Alto

Janae Herr, 2016 Student Teacher - Berks

Matt Dodson, 2016 Student Teacher - Mont Alto

So here are some questions...How are you going to inspire students?  How will you advocate for agricultural education?  How do you celebrate National FFA Week?  Please share your answers and ideas on our Facebook page, Teach Ag! at Penn State, and tweet us at @TeachAgPSU!

Happy National FFA Week!

To learn more about starting on the path to having a career that makes 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 @TeachAgPSU, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PSUTeachAg.

By: Matthew Dodson, 

Student Blogger

2013 Teach Ag Avenger

2016 Student Teacher Candidate