EMBRACING
NON-TRADITIONAL
ACTIVITIES TO BUILD YOUR PROGRAM "IF YOU BUILD IT, HE WILL COME.” – FIELD OF DREAMS B Y: DA V I D L A I R D J A M E S E . TA Y L O R H I G H S C H O O L A G R I C U LT U R E S C I E N C E T E A C H E R
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very agriculture science teacher shares a deep passion for the traditional activities within the FFA program. However, as more of our programs have changed from rural to suburban, there seems to be a disconnect between our students and traditional agriculture. Setting up a booth in the junior high cafeteria isn’t enough for students to sign up for our principals of ag class anymore. Students are looking for something entertaining, and a picture of a kid in a blue jacket holding a chicken is not always going to do the trick. Our FFA chapter has begun using non-traditional programs to recruit students for our traditional FFA teams. Using programs like welding competitions, BBQ cook-offs, and shooting teams have allowed us to increase enrollment and bring our LDE and CDE teams success.
TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL WELDING SERIES This competition is a hidden gem for agriculture mechanics teachers and is the perfect connection to hook those ag mechanics kids into FFA. While the Texas High School Welding Series does not require students to be FFA members, our school participates in the competitions as an FFA chapter. This means that students must join to participate. On the surface, most teachers will assume that adding this competition to their already busy schedule will create too much work, but I have found that false. This contest was designed by ag mechanics teachers to line up perfectly with the curriculum that should be taught in our classes. Not only that, but when students compete, they earn certifications that make the administration at home happy! Each event has a host of different activities for the students to participate in, starting with a safety test com12
