|
|
The views expressed on this page are soley
those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of County
News Online
|
 |
State Representative Jim Buchy
Agriculture in
the City Update—Positive Movement For Urban Youth
Agriculture in the City is a state funded program which teaches
agriculture education to students in city schools. This program is
being piloted in one high school and one elementary in Cleveland and
Cincinnati. The schools implementing this program have started to see
some tremendous results. Agriculture is a huge industry in the state
and the values instilled in members of 4-H and the FFA are important to
Ohio’s youth.
Agriculture in the City uses the 4H and FFA programs to help instill
leadership, nurture potential, and provide agriculture education.
Leadership, communication, and a love for education will enrich these
students for their entire lives. These programs also instill the values
of hard work and charity into the future leaders of Ohio. These
programs are essential to preparing students to fill the open jobs in
the food processing industry.
East Tech High School, one of the pilot high schools for Agriculture in
the City is experiencing tremendous success. The school’s graduation
rate has positively shifted by 26.9 percent. The graduation rate went
from a dismal 46 percent to a stellar 72.9 percent. While a shift this
large is due to multiple factors, one of them most certainly was
Agriculture in the City. This program has helped to bring about a
culture of excitement at East Tech, which is helping to spur graduation
rates.
Just last month, FFA students from East Tech came to visit the Ohio
Statehouse to promote Agriculture week. These students got to meet an
advocate for the Ohio Soy Bean Association. They also meet with
legislators and staff to provide information on the state of
agriculture in Ohio. Legislators were impressed with the students’
sharpness, preparation, and sense of pride in what they were doing.
The young people taking a part in Agriculture in the City are changing
the future of inner city education. Something special happens when a
student can envision the outcome of their education. Thanks to
Agriculture in the City these outcomes are looking bright and Ohio’s
future is looking even brighter.
Please give me your opinion on this topic and others in the news this
month by completing an online survey at tinyurl.com/buchyapril2016
|
|
|
|
