Page 18 - TTMNSpring2026

Agriculture
Page 18 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com

The Crowning Achievement

may be little, but many of the while ducks take 28 days. With the different
same skills needed to build incubation times, she puts the chicken eggs in
a human-sized house were one incubator and the duck eggs in another.
used to build this one. From Lily checks in on the eggs every day, making
building walls to installing sure they are safe and developing, and that the
shingles, Mason has learned temperature and humidity are in check.
a ton of skills he can use Candling eggs was a new experience for
throughout his life. Lily. Once a week, she carefully places each
A gift of furniture got egg in the light, checking for veins and signs of
Alistar’s capstone project movement. Eggs with no growth are removed
started. Alistar, a senior at otherwise, they may burst from gases building
AFSA, hates to see old furni- up. About 14 days in, she still has 12 chicken
ture painted. He would rather eggs but is down to 6 duck eggs. As the big
put in the hours restoring a date gets closer, it is just about time for lock
piece of furniture to reveal down. This is the time when Lily will raise the
the true beauty of the wood humidity levels and lock down the incubators.
than to see it covered up. More waiting. Once the chicks hatch, they will
When his uncle, who works be kept at school for about a week before being
in construction, gifted him rehomed to a local farm.
an antique side table, the From the experience of the CHS Miracle
thought of restoration was of Birth Center to the hatching of the eggs,
foremost on his mind. Lily’s project has made her realize that taking
Alistar learned some of things slow gets better results and that a hobby
his restoration techniques in farm may just be in her future. they want to go. Who knows what’s next for
woodworking class at school. The capstone class has indeed provided a these three seniors? The sky is definitely not
Along the way, he has found time and space for students to take what they the limit.
that in woodworking, being have been learning, create their own projects,
Stephanie Forliti resourceful and flexible takes you far. Trial and build on their knowledge with a ton of
Marketing and Communications and error and patience get you the best results. new skills. These projects have led them to
Academy for Sciences & Agriculture Knowing that the first step in any project the realization that being patient, resourceful, afsahighschool.com
A new class at AFSA is the crowning is safety, Alistar begins on his current project and open to learning will lead them to where
achievement for many 11th–12th grade stu- by carefully removing paint samples to test,
dents, specifically students wanting to dive not once, but twice, and in many spots to make
deeper into the world of agriculture and sure he is not exposing himself or others to
grow their skills. Ms. Warner's Agricultural the dangers of lead. Once clear of that worry, Dirty Cars are Headed to AFSA and
Capstone class allows students to design and Alistar moves to researching the piece, finding
develop their own individual project that they it to be a French Provincial style side table Coming Out Clean!
will work on throughout the trimester. built by Weiman in the 1950s–1970s. Mixing
“I noticed that a lot of students were together glue and sawdust, the corners and These founding members brought the idea
completing all of the available classes for their slide rails are like new. Using furniture strip- to the school board and from there the busi-
career pathways within two years of their high per, sanders, and sandpaper, Alistar carefully ness took off. AFSA Auto has grown from
school career. I wanted to provide a time and removes paint, bringing out the original grain 5 to over 10 dedicated, hardworking stu-
space for students to take all that they have of the wood. dent-employees. Take it from James, a staff
been learning and create their own project, Each step in the process of restoration member of AFSA Auto, “It started out as a
or learn a skill they haven't had a chance to. has given Alistar skills that he will continue learning experience to improve my skills,
To help them grow and explore their passions to build with each future project. So, the next but I didn't think it would be as popular as
in relation to agriculture.” Ms. Kyra Warner, time you are in a thrift store, keep an eye out, it is now”.
AFSA High School Agriculture teacher and you may just see Alistar walking through the Students involved with AFSA Auto
FFA Advisor. Let’s take a closer look at a few store looking at furniture and picturing the say that the school-based program encour-
of the capstone projects. beauty of his next project. ages them to get good grades and pushes
You can typically find Mason in the AFSA Now picture this: it’s Minnesota State them to work hard. “AFSA Auto has given
shop or greenhouse, fixing anything that needs Fair time, and you are walking into the CHS me motivation to stay on top of my school-
fixing. This soon-to-be AFSA grad is always Miracle of Birth Center. It’s hot, it’s crowded, work and has helped me balance my time
ready to help, and his capstone project show- BUT there are baby animals, so life is good! Owen Wu-O’Brien, AFSA Student with work outside of school,” said Natalie.
cases this characteristic well. Following in the Lily, a senior at AFSA, was part of the poultry AFSA Auto is a school-based enter- AFSA Auto prioritizes quality over
footsteps of a family member who recently crew at last year’s fair. Her time at the Miracle prise that specializes in detailing cars. quantity, making sure your car comes out
passed away, Mason decided to take his skills of Birth Center ignited her passion for her cap- AFSA Auto was started by a group of high looking like new. The students have served
and help the animals. stone project . . . hatching eggs! school students as a way to raise money for over 43 customers so far, having raised over
His shelter for stray cats has become a Lily loves working with animals, and her their FFA activities and Agriculture classes $2,000. With a variety of detailing pack-
passion project. Wanting to make sure the stray experience at the fair led her to enjoy working within the school. ages available, and exterior washes coming
cats have shelter, food and water, especially with poultry. She knew how to care for chicks The business officially launched in soon, that number is sure to quickly climb.
on the below-zero nights, Mason has designed outside of the egg but wanted to learn about February of 2026. However, planning If you are interested in being an AFSA
and built a home that will fulfill those needs. caring for them before they were hatched. stages for AFSA Auto started months before Auto customer please go to www.afsak12.
He even added some special features, includ- The learning began with 12 chicken eggs and with four students that thought a detailing com to reserve a spot today.
ing a heated floor and bowl. Also, the roof 12 duck eggs. While doing the research, she business would be an amazing opportunity.
can slide off to help with cleaning. This house learned that chickens take 21 days to hatch,