Michigan Farm Bureau commends the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Office of Career and Technical Education on its support and recognition of food and agriculture as a greater than $100 billion industry in the state through the adoption of the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Cluster. This cluster will enable the future leaders of agriculture to obtain foundational knowledge that will help shape their careers and ultimately promote the sustainability of the agriculture industry.
Michigan’s 100 plus Agriscience, Food and Natural Resources Education (AFNRE) programs and FFA programs are important to the future success of Michigan agriculture. These programs provide future leadership to the agricultural industry and many programmatic and leadership opportunities for non-farm students to learn about and understand agriculture, natural resources and the environment.
AFNRE and FFA chapters in the state of Michigan have been supported for years by the local school district, added-cost funding administered by the MDE, federal Perkins dollars, and FFA Foundation funds, including the Glassbrook FFA Endowment. These appropriations are essential for public school districts to retain AFNRE and the FFA as program priorities, and as an incentive to expand these programs into other school districts.
We support:
The expansion of the current and creation of new junior high/middle school and high school AFNRE programs and FFA chapters as vital tools for educating young people, providing career and technical training and development of leaders to work in careers related to Michigan’s agricultural industry.
Agriscience and natural resources courses fulfilling the criteria and being recognized as a science credit by all high schools, colleges and universities in Michigan.
Regional Educational School District administrators, as well as local district superintendents, principals and counselors, being provided information on curriculum requirements of agriscience careers so they can encourage student participation.
The MDE to adequately fund AFNRE and the Career and Technical Student Organization programs to provide educational and career opportunities in agriculture and natural resources as added-cost funding available has continued to decline.
The word agriculture remaining in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Career Cluster title.
Reporting of all information regarding graduates, or completers, from all agriscience and natural resources programs within the state. This information should help increase the amount of added-cost funding for each student currently enrolled in the program. All agriscience and natural resources instructors to engage in an active role in the information gathering and reporting process.
MFB and county Farm Bureaus assisting in state and local FFA activities.
FFA alumni associations and their efforts to strengthen agriscience and natural resource education across the state and nation.
AFNRE emergency certification programs, as well as the hiring of retired ag teachers, to fill these positions without any retirement penalties, due to the lack of qualified people available to lead these programs.
Consideration being given to student loan payoff or scholarship programs to help promote AFNRE programs through private or public partnerships.
Continued activities of private and public companies and organizations, like those of AgroLiquid, St. Johns, which provide an educational opportunity to the public to learn and experience the role, importance, and economic impact of agriculture on food production for generations to come.
The development of an agricultural credential which high school AFNRE students could use to gain employment in the agricultural and natural resources field. The development of this credential should include input from agricultural businesses, teachers and educational specialists to ensure the certification represents the skills learned through the program in a way that's meaningful for agricultural employers.
The utilization of funding for agricultural internships and apprenticeships through the National Apprenticeship Act.