College Community Schools hosted a Prairie Agriculture Education and FFA Kick-Off Event on October 5 to celebrate the launch of the new Ag program. Starting this fall an exploratory course is being offered to students at Prairie Point Middle School and an Introduction to Ag course to students at Prairie High School. Expanded course offerings are being planned as the program develops and grows. Currently there are over 110 students enrolled in these classes.
The program event took place on the property previously owned by the Divishek family. Last year the College Community Board of Education approved the purchase of 155.28 acres. Superintendent Dr. Doug Wheeler, teachers, administrators, members of the Agriculture Education Advisory Committee, area agriculture industry leaders, and other local supporters were on hand to celebrate the program and supporters of our Agriculture Education and FFA program.
“A great deal of work went into bringing us to this day,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Wheeler. “I want to thank our Agriculture Education Advisory Committee, our School Board, our School Foundation, our parents, our agriculture industry leaders, and our community partners who provided financial support, high quality advice, guidance and advocacy for Prairie to develop an agriculture education program. Their tremendous support will allow us to expose our students to the countless leadership opportunities of FFA. As public schools serving our communities, we need to provide programming where students see themselves as successful right here, which will only strengthen our community and our local economy. Agriculture is definitely an area where students can find success in our community.”
In April of 2019 an Agriculture Education Advisory Committee was established with membership of current CCSD teachers and administrators, local farmers, area agriculture industry leaders, and other local supporters. This committee commissioned a survey to current students and families about interest in agriculture education. Results of this survey showed a strong interest in providing an agriculture education program.
Program
Welcome – Eric Townsley, Chair of the Agriculture Education Advisory Committee
Dr. Doug Wheeler – Superintendent of Schools
Randy Bauer – College Community Board of Education
Randy Rumery – Prairie School Foundation
Patrick Duerksen – Cargil
Erica Baier – Agriculture and FFA Teacher
Coilee Hynek – Prairie High School FFA Vice President
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Dr. Wheeler
Randy Bauer
Randy Rumery
Dwight Hughes
Niki Frese
Patrick Duerksen
Lori Kramer
Erica Baier
Prairie FFA Leadership Team
