Page 16 - TTMNFallWinter2025

Agriculture
Page 16 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com

Hatching a New Course: Students Learn About Agricultural and

Natural Resources at EPHS

into their environment, such as more food project-based was a priority for Roessler, as
or attractively colored paper. Roessler gave it made the environment welcoming and the
instructions as students migrated to the sink material accessible to all students.
to wash their hands before scooping up a Across the classroom, students began
few chicks and transferring them to smaller their observations. At times, they needed
boxes for the 10-minute observation. “It’s to build up the walls of their boxes because
novel,” he said, explaining why so many the chicks were getting old enough to hop
Eagles had signed up for his new course. quite high. The once-quiet room filled with
There was an air of excitement as students conversations about what students were
moved to the enclosure to carefully corral seeing, mixed with laughter and questions
the tiny birds. for Roessler. A popular one was, “Can I hold
“It’s a little intimidating to grab a chicken a chick?” after students had finished their
for the first time,” Roessler chuckled. But he assignment.
hoped little else about his class was intimi- At a table in the middle of the room,
dating. The new agriculture course, part of ninth grader Maya Singleton stood holding
the Natural & Applied Sciences Pathway at a calm, black-feathered chick. She smiled.
EPHS, was designed to teach students about In the class, “we get to explore and learn
basic animal science, anatomy, biology, about different animals and how some bodies
genetics, nutritional needs and behavior. are different than others,” she said. Maya
There were so many career opportunities in had heard the course was an opportunity to
these fields, Roessler explained, and the class work with animals, and she wanted to give
provided insight into those possibilities, from it a try. The research-based structure of the
the Department of Natural Resources to for- course gave her opportunities to build her
Eden Prairie Schools dents in Jack Roessler’s new Intro to Animal estry work and more. Plus, “a lot of students collaboration skills and was a good way to
Across an otherwise quiet first-floor Care & Nutrition class were getting ready have an interest in veterinary sciences,” he learn, she said. Those hands-on experiences
hallway in Eden Prairie High School, a soft to start their observations of the week-old said. Earlier in the term, students had built were something students would remember,
peeping sound drifted through an open door. chicks they’d incubated and hatched. The animal skeletons from pasta as part of an
It was an early Tuesday morning, and stu- goal: try to increase the time the chicks anatomy unit. Making the class hands-on and
spent eating by introducing different factors Continued on Page 18

Learning That Leads Somewhere: Career Pathways at NCTA

birds, reptiles, and even dents enrolled in the first cohort, and another ag mechanics, irrigation technology, welding, or
exotic species. Campus group begins in January 2026. to the vital role of teaching agriculture and advis-
teaching facilities for Designed for learners balancing work, ing FFA are equally well served. Each program
large-animal handling, family responsibilities, or geographic distance, provides hands-on, industry-connected learning
innovative equine health the online pathway delivers the same accredited that mirrors the demands of Nebraska’s agricul-
devices, a surgical suite, curriculum and faculty expertise as the on-cam- tural workforce.
x-ray, ultrasound, and pus program. Students complete coursework
laboratories create real virtually while gaining hands-on experience Affordable by Design, Career-Focused
experiences for students. through approved veterinary practices near their by Nature
These settings help home communities. What unites these experiences is NCTA’s
learners practice clinical commitment to affordability and access. With a
skills and build confi- Applied Learning Across Campus one-rate tuition of $156 per credit hour for all
dence from day one. Beyond veterinary studies, NCTA engages students—both in-state and out-of-state—NCTA
That hands-on students across a full slate of agricultural path- offers an education significantly lower in cost
foundation is strength- ways as part of the University of Nebraska than the national average for similar programs.
ened by faculty who system. In agronomy, students test their This allows students to focus on learning, not
are deeply invested in knowledge against peers nationwide through overwhelming debt, as they prepare for careers
If you love animals, enjoy science, or want student success. Students often describe their competitive crops judging. They apply classroom that matter in agriculture, animal health, and rural
a career where you can make a difference every instructors as approachable, patient, and clear concepts to real soils, plants, and precision- communities.
day, the Nebraska College of Technical Agricul- educators. They set high expectations while ag technologies. These experiences sharpen At NCTA, education isn’t abstract. It’s
ture (NCTA) in Curtis is a two-year technical creating an environment where it’s safe to ask problem-solving skills and prepare students for applied, personal, and purposefully designed to
college offering one of the most hands-on Veteri- questions, make mistakes, and try again. Many careers tied directly to food production and land help students discover where they fit and how
nary Technology programs in the country. With learners say this supportive teaching style is what stewardship. far they can go. From the classroom to the arena,
a traditional on-campus option and a new online makes the program truly transformative. Animal Science and Equine students find from the clinic to the field, students graduate with
pathway launched in Fall 2025, NCTA is expand- their classrooms both indoors and out. Through real skills, real confidence, and a clear direction
ing opportunities for students everywhere who Expanding Access Through Online intensive horsemanship training and ranch-horse for the future.
feel called to animal care. Learning competition, equine students develop valuable
For decades, NCTA has trained veterinary To broaden access to veterinary careers, technical and leadership skills. The campus cattle Small Campus. Big Impact.
technicians who are comfortable in clinics, NCTA launched its Online Veterinary Technol- herd gives students experience in calving, artifi- Explore the heart of agriculture in a small
barns, laboratories, zoos, or livestock facili- ogy program in Fall 2025. The response was cial insemination, and all aspects of livestock town that feels like home at NCTA. For more
ties. Students learn by working directly with immediate and enthusiastic. More than 30 stu- health and production. information, visit ncta.unl.edu. (See our ad—
cattle, horses, dogs, cats, small mammals, Meanwhile, students drawn to agribusiness, Page Two.)