June 2007
Pike County Establishes State’s First Agricultural Academy

Goshen Ag Academy Prepares Students for a Variety of Agricultural Jobs     Eric Myers (left) and Brack Swanzy inspect potted plants in a local nursery. By Ben Norman Goshen (pop. 360) may be one of the smaller municipalities in the state of Alabama, but it is a giant when it comes to progressive ideas about educating its young people in the field of agriculture. Goshen High School has offered vocational agriculture to its students for as long as anyone can remember; but last August the school welcomed its first class of Ag Academy students. What’s different about the Ag Academy as compared to the traditional vocational agriculture taught across the state for so long? Vocational agriculture has traditionally focused on how to farm, including raising livestock. The new Ag Academy offers classes in a wide variety of subjects that can prepare a student for an agricultural related job or give them a jump start in their desired agricultural field if they are going to a technical school or to college. Three teachers currently make up the Ag Academy staff under the supervision of Principal Gene Nelson. Mr. Rusty Yeomans teaches biotechnology and sports turf courses. "Working at or even managing a golf course calls for considerable knowledge when it comes to keeping the greens and fairways in top condition. Most people don’t think about it but one needs to be knowledgeable in erosion control, pesticides and herbicides, fertilizer and lime requirements, and irrigation practices," Yeomans said.   Tyeshia Cade takes notes on several varieties of plants at a retail nursery.   Ms. Kelly Pritchett teaches fish and wildlife management, horticulture and equine science. According to Yeomans, the increase in commercial hunting lodges opening for business across the country is creating jobs for wildlife managers and technicians. "People are willing to pay to hunt and fish at these facilities, and this mandates that these recreational facilities and the fish and wildlife found there be managed to attract customers. Kelly’s course encompasses general wildlife management principals including the planting and maintaining of foodplots, supplemental feeding, hunting safety and other related subjects." Mrs. Marla Johnson teaches the core science courses and related subjects that will benefit the students. Johnson had ten years of environmental science experience in industry before she became a teacher. "This year I am teaching botany and aqua science. Next year we will be adding environmental science and zoology. Also, next year we will be adding another teacher, Mrs. Sally Thomas, who will teach agricultural history and agriculture economics," Johnson said.     Nicole McLeod (right), an Ag Academy student, and Kelvin Thomas are proud of McLeod’s steer that placed as Champion in the Limousin division at the Alabama Junior Beef Expo. The Expo was held March 9 through 11 at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. Since the curriculum emphasizes classroom and practical field education, Johnson has constructed a small greenhouse to provide practical "hands on" experience. "Our larger green house was basically destroyed by Hurricane Ivan, so we are getting by with a small one until we get our new greenhouse completed in conjunction with the new Ag Academy facilities the Board of Education is building for us," Johnson said. "We are really excited about the new building that’s now under construction," says Yeomans. "Here a student can choose one of two pathways - animal science or plant science. We will have the facilities for both. Our facilities will be equipped so we can teach agricultural communications and the use of computers as related to agriculture. We will have facilities for horses and cows, including an arena for shows and competition. We will also teach animal breeding and later we are planning to teach veterinary science. This will prepare students for employment as veterinary assistants or as practical experience for those who want to go to veterinary school." The Ag Academy’s objective is to provide training to anyone who is interested in agriculture, directly or indirectly. "We are not focused on just farming or growing things, but to increase the interest in agriculture in general and to put people back into the agricultural field. Our curriculum can prepare a student to either go to work after graduation or go on to earn degrees. They can become an agriscience teacher, extension agent, horticulturist, soil conservationist, park ranger, landscape architect, forester or an ag journalist. Students who complete the Ag Academy will have certificates and an endorsement sticker attached to their high school diploma to indicate that they have graduated from the Ag Academy. We are trying to articulate classes with colleges so that the students will actually get college credits while at the Academy," Yeomans said.   Academy students Brittany Tillery (left) and Kayla Lowery (right) plot plant growth in the greenhouse.   Yeomans, Johnson and Pritchett are excited that this is the first Ag Academy in the state. Yeomans said the Superintendent of Pike County Schools, Dr. Mark Bazell, along with school personnel and several local farmers visited an Ag Academy in Miami, Florida. "We visited several academies, but Turner Tech in Miami really impressed all of us and ours is somewhat modeled after Turner Tech," Yeomans said. Principal Gene Nelson is also excited about the new Ag Academy at Goshen High School. "The Superintendent, Dr. Bazzel, and the whole school board are defiantly committed to our new Ag Academy. They have provided the funding to purchase land and build the building now under construction. We have a lot of interest from surrounding counties, also. In Alabama a student can attend a school out of their district if their district school does not offer a course they want to take," Nelson said. Mike Thomas, an employee at the Goshen Farmers Cooperative and a member of the Ag Academy Advisory Council, said the whole community is backing the new Ag Academy. "The citizens in the Goshen area are about as close a group as you will find when it comes to providing educational opportunities for their children. I’m thrilled that this will provide students who love agriculture an opportunity to get agriculture related job training right here. Goshen Farmers Co-op looks forward to assisting the Ag Academy in any way we can." With an unwavering commitment from the School Board, Superintendent, administrators, teachers and the local community, the Goshen Ag Academy is a golden egg ready to hatch. No doubt other Alabama educators will be keeping a keen eye on the Goshen Ag Academy - the first one in the state. Ben Norman is a freelance writer from Highland Home.