Union County has a long-standing tradition of promoting a strong high school agriculture program. But this year, school leaders are taking an additional step to expand the program into the middle school level!
This January, Maddie Clements was hired to begin teaching an Agriculture Science class at Union County Middle School to all 7th graders. She points out that the class has several benefits. For one, it introduces all students to the wide world of agriculture. “It’s more than farming,” she emphasizes. Her course covers a variety of topics from learning about natural resources to technology to knowing where our food comes from.
The class can also be a major benefit for students who want to pursue a career pathway in agriculture. The middle school program will offer students a head start on their learning, giving them extra time to explore the agriculture field in a deeper way in high school. “Our class can serve as a feeder program for the high school ag department and really put us ahead,” claimed Ms. Clements.
Having the opportunity to teach a course like this is somewhat of a dream come true for Ms. Clements. She explains that she’s known she wanted to be an ag teacher since she was in high school. She recalls how much impact her ag program and adviser had in her life, and she wants to have the same impact on students’ lives today.
She also likes how agriculture education gives her the opportunity to engage students’ multiple intelligences. She expresses that while there’s no “cookie mold filler” of how to teach, she wants to learn how her students learn best. She’s also grateful to be surrounded by strong ag teachers in our county, region, and state who can serve as helpful resources.
Ms. Clements certainly has no shortage of passion for the new middle school ag program! While this semester is a start, she hopes the program will grow from here. “Union County is already known for having one of the biggest and brightest ag programs in the region,” she highlights. Now, she believes offering middle school classes will only deepen that tradition of excellence.
Ultimately, her vision is clear. “I want this class to broaden students’ horizons and help them learn that there are many agricultural opportunities outside of farming,” she shares. “I believe this class can be a key to help students want to come to school, because they’re excited, intrigued, and locked in to learning.”
We’re excited to have Ms. Clements on our team and look forward to the exciting future of our middle school agriculture program!
