Local FFA Evergreen Tour a success

COLFAX– Washington State University Agriculture education students with the Washington FFA's Evergreen Tour put together workshops in Colfax for FFA students from all over the area, Friday, Oct. 7.

Nationally, there is a shortage of ag teachers at as many as 400 agriculture teacher positions, which affects thousands of students nationwide. WSU students are working with FFA to solve this issue facing agriculture, and community resilience.

"It truly is a collaborative effort between WSU college of agricultural human and natural resource sciences, the Washington Association of agricultural educators, and Washington FFA," said Professor of Agricultural Education, Anna Warner, "those three are collaborating to address the ag teacher problem, and recruit for the profession."

Ag teachers prepare the next generation of food producers, business leaders, and entrepreneurs.

"We learned leadership styles and how we can put that into our community and use it. There are several officers from the FFAs here," said Kyra Holt, a Senior from St. John, "the workshops show us how we can better our chapters, and be better leaders."

The Teach Ag Workshop was to raise awareness of professional and career opportunities, as well as recruit future agriculture teachers. The WSU students shared reasons, as well as the pathways to become an agriculture teacher. There were competitive activities the students participated in, and workshops were WSU students talked to the FFA students about their future career goals.

"There are three points or reasons addressed about becoming an ag teacher. Things you need to know about how to become an agriculture teacher, and reasons to become an agriculture teacher," said Warner.