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Career Pathways — Agriculture
Teaching Today Minnesota | Spring 2024 Page 21

The Academy for Sciences & Agriculture (AFSA K-12)

The Greenhouse Management class student growth activities such as agri-science have a chance to truly experience being an
takes over to finish seeding and trans- fair, Career Development Events (CDE’s), and entrepreneur.
plant flower plugs into larger pots. Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE’s). AFSA’s K-12 program combines the
Stepping into the greenhouse As this year’s science fair season comes to a importance of education, community, sciences
brings a sense of calm to the busy- close we celebrate the multitude of students and agriculture all in one. To learn more about
ness of the school day. Students take whose projects have progressed beyond the AFSA K-12, our annual plant sale (May 9-11,
a moment to connect with the soil region and state levels. 2024), the Potato Hug (October 5, 2024) and
and take care of the young seedlings Student’s opportunities are continuously other school events please check out our website
they started weeks ago. From vari- growing and evolving and don’t stop at the www.afsak12.com.
eties of tomatoes, peppers, melon, classroom door. All grade levels are exposed to The Academy for Sciences & Agriculture
cucumbers, and lettuce to herbs a wide variety of content areas and unique expe- (AFSA) was founded by the Minnesota Agricul-
including thyme, rosemary, basil, riences within hands-on and practical learning tural Education Leadership Council (MAELC)
and chamomile to flowers including applications that go above and beyond a typical in 2001. AFSA began as a 9th-12th grade high
marigolds, dahlias, begonias, petu- classroom setting. With our own buses available school with 41 students. Currently over 425
nias, and more. There is something to us, students K-12 have ample field trip oppor- students are enrolled, and the school will grow
for everyone. tunities which extend classroom learning. to about 600 students over the next three years.
As the high school students Community is a big part of the AFSA K-12 AFSA’s locations, in Vadnais Heights and Little
work in the greenhouse, our K-6 culture. The school emphasizes family involve- Canada, allow inclusion of students from all
students create seed art, learn about ment, community support, and partnerships north/east Twin Cities areas. Currently students
seeds and the plant growth process with agribusiness and educational organiza- from 19 different school districts attend AFSA.
from the ground up. Seeds planted by tions. Throughout the year we host a variety AFSA K-12 prepares students to be wise
the younger grades will find their way of events that open the door for our students to consumers, savvy decision makers, and success-
to the high school giving gardens. grow in educational and social opportunities. ful, career-oriented lifelong learners. The unique
The harvest from these gardens is Two large events that help us connect to the curriculum with hands-on and experiential learn-
Stephanie Forliti, Marketing and donated to the local food shelf. community are our annual spring plant sale and ing drives the success of the students through
Communications Not only are our plants blooming but our the fall Potato Hug. high school and beyond.
Laura Wyatt, AFSA High School Ag Teacher students are as well! Sciences and Agriculture AFSA’s FFA Alumni coordinates the
Things are blooming at AFSA K-12! Spring are the foundation of everything at AFSA. Our Annual Potato Hug each fall providing stu-
brings growth in many forms. Preparation for science and ag roots allow us to have close dents the opportunity to sell wares that they afsahighschool.com
AFSA’s annual plant sale begins in January with connections with the National FFA Organiza- have produced during their Supervised Agri-
Plant Science students sowing over 1,000 seeds. tion. FFA provides the base for a variety of cultural Experience (SAE) projects. Students

N O R T H D A K O TA S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

HUNDREDS OF CAREERS,
LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES

• Hands-on learning • State-of-the-art facilities
• 11 to 1 student-faculty ratio • Scholarships

Learn more: www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/academics
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD SYSTEMS, AND NATURAL RESOURCES