The Sleepy Eye Ag Department celebrated National Teach Ag Day on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 17 & 18. Pictured l to r – top row: Jake Price, Mason Sellner, Kegan Heiderscheidt, McKenna Strong, Jacob Ulrich. Row 2: Envy Morales, Isaac Lendt. Row 3: Sophie Kyllonen, Nora Coulson, Katelyn Capacia, Taylor Lambrecht, Leisha Martinez. Bottom row: Brandon Flores, McKenna Dockter, Winsten Nienhaus, Presley Bauer.
By Carmen Lendt, FFA Reporter
Thursday, September 17, was National Teach Ag Day, which is celebrated across the nation to recognize the agricultural education profession. Mrs. Hoffmann, and Mr. and Mrs. Manderfeld are always encouraging their students to explore careers in agriculture, one of those being an Ag. Teacher! They “tagged” 16 individuals in grades 8 -12. Those students were given a Tagged to Teach Ag. T-shirt that Mrs. Hoffmann designed. Students that have been previously tagged were entered into a drawing to receive either a t-shirt, water bottle, sunglasses, or Hootie owl!
Congratulations to these students for being Tagged to Teach Ag!
-8th: Nora Coulson, Brandon Flores, Jacob Ulrich
-9th: Isaac Lendt, Envy Morales, Evan Thompson
-10th: Emma Braulick, Leisha Martinez, Jake Price
-11th: Katelyn Capacia, Sophie Kyllonen, Taylor Lambrecht, Mason Sellner
12th: Kegan Heiderscheidt, Jack Nelson, McKenna Strong
Some Agricultural Education statistics from our region of the United States include:
- 106 of last year’s 139 agricultural education graduates in Region 3 are currently employed as agriculture teachers!
- There are 41 new agricultural education positions.
- The average base starting salary for this job is $43,048.
- There are currently 24 new agricultural education programs and 119 positions to fill.
- Agricultural education programs are offered in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Right now there is a big need for more students who are interested in and passionate about agriculture to pursue a career as an agricultural educator! National Teach Ag Day draws more attention to the shortage of teachers and hopefully inspires students all over the country to become Ag. Teachers!
“LOVE WHAT YOU DO, DO WHAT YOU LOVE— TEACH AG!” Mrs. Hoffmann, Mr. & Mrs. Manderfeld