Cultivating Future Farmers through Education
Success Stories of Exposing High School Students to Agriculture

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
Article by: Crop Science
HOW WORKING IN AGRICULTURE LED ME TO PUBLIC HEALTH

Article by: Crop Science
As I sit and reflect on my journey from high school and where I am now, I must give thanks to the opportunity that helped get me here.
I am a first-generation college student of low-socioeconomic status. I am from a large urban area, where you have to drive 20-30 minutes to reach farmland. I had never been to a farm, never heard the difference between organic and conventional agriculture – nor did I know what it meant. The first program I volunteered in was the Student and Landowner Education and Watershed Stewardship (SLEWS).
During this time, I learned a lot about habitat restoration, natural resources and agriculture; and about myself. I developed a passion for the environment. My participation in SLEWS led to my interest in the Farming, Agriculture and Resource Management for Sustainability leadership program (FARMS). FARMS taught me about sustainability and most importantly nutrition. We were always provided with healthy food choices that really changed the way I viewed my own unhealthy eating behaviors. This program taught me the importance of sustainability, and understanding the relationship between agriculture and the environment…READ MORE