The Kansas State Department of Agriculture is working to change the state’s agriculture program by 2012 to interest students in farming and ranching businesses.
In 2007 the transition began by forming the classes into career clusters focusing on the importance of agriculture, food and natural resources. The three main classes include agriculture science, plant systems and power structure and technical systems.
Agriculture is more than planting seeds, these classes put a heavy emphasis on math, science, language arts and fine arts. People, science, math and business skills are essential to start at an early age to bloom minds into future producers.
Currently these classes are offered on a part-time basis, but with other changes in the curriculum, the Kansas State Department of Agriculture and Department of Education want to gain enough interest to require a full-time instructor.
Classes are offered at elementary, middle and high school levels to encourage students to enter the industry post-graduation.
For more information on this and agricultural funding, call Farm Plus at 866-929-5585.