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Career Pathways — Agriculture
Page 22 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com

Unique AFNR Program at Highland Park

learning experiences that ignite their passion munity service within the AFNR department
for agriculture and inspire lifelong learning. and FFA chapter at Highland Park. Our stu-
Part of the SAE program at Highland Park dents actively participate in service projects
includes a floral design school-based enter- that benefit local residents, such as creating
prise, an SAE initiative that allows students personalized cards for residents of nearby
to get hands-on experience with a flower busi- nursing homes or making tie blankets that
ness run out of the school. Students create will be donated to children in need for Project
fresh floral arrangements for members of the Linas. These acts of kindness not only bring
Highland Park community, create posters and joy and comfort to those in need but also
social media updates to inform the community foster empathy, compassion, and a deep sense
about sales, plan the designs, and set prices of connection to the community for students.
for items sold. These learning opportunities The Highland Park AFNR Program
allow students to apply classroom knowl- stands as an example of the transformative
edge in real-world settings, fostering a deeper power of agricultural education. The Highland
understanding of agricultural concepts and Park Agricultural Education program is one
practices. the top agriculture programs in the state, offer-
Students may choose to continue their ing a comprehensive curriculum, hands-on
learning by joining the Highland Park FFA learning experiences, and meaningful service
program, one of the top ten programs in the opportunities. We empower students to realize
state. Within FFA, students achieve premier their full potential and make a positive impact
leadership, personal growth, and career on the world around them. We are proud to
Harley Braun, AFNR Teacher that has grown from 20 members to over 150. success by participating in community share our experiences and insights with fellow
Students Lillian Thuente and Ellie Moore Due to Highland Park’s location in St. service projects, a local Ag Day that reaches educators across the state, inspiring them to
Highland Park Senior High Paul, new courses were developed to better thousands of elementary, middle, and high create innovative and impactful educational
Saint Paul Public Schools connect with student interests and local school students, FFA Day at the Capitol, local programs in their own communities. Together,
If you step into Ms. Braun’s classroom career opportunities. These courses include and state leadership conferences, State and we can cultivate a future where every student
at Highland Park Senior High (HPSH) in AFNR Biotechnology, AFNR Communica- National Convention attendance, and chapter has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
Saint Paul, you might see students texturing tions, Sustainable Food Production, AFNR officer retreats. This year, over 70 members
soil samples, practicing their knife skills, or Leadership Development, AFNR Business have participated in an event beyond the local
presenting workshops on the importance of Management, and Landscape Design. Stu- level with over 40 members qualifying to
communicating about agriculture to the public. dents in these classes model “learning by advance to the State FFA Convention. highlandsr.spps.org
These topics might be commonplace in rural doing.” For example, in ANFR Biotechnol- We have a strong commitment to com-
Minnesota, but the Agriculture, Food, and ogy, students have the opportunity to conduct
Natural Resources (AFNR) program at High- experiments using real-world laboratory tech-
land Park is unique for an inner-city school. niques and equipment such as micropipettes,
Each year, almost 600 students take courses in gel electrophoresis, and a thermal cycler. Bees, Produce, and Décor Program
the AFNR department and take advantage of Another key aspect of courses at Highland
leadership development opportunities in the Park is incorporating cultural connections to
Highland Park FFA. The AFNR program pro- agriculture, such as highlighting Indigenous Honored for Innovation Continued from Page 1
vides a pathway to career success by offering a methods of maple syrup production or explor- community through part-
wide range of courses, hands-on activities, and ing global foods. nerships and sales. These
service opportunities that empower students In addition to the projects students com- are all life-long learning
to thrive academically, personally, and profes- plete in class, students continue their learning lessons.
sionally. The Highland Park AFNR program outside of the classroom with their Supervised Since most Wadena
has experienced exceptional growth over the Agricultural Experience projects. Whether Area Learning Center
past 4 years with the addition of a second it’s creating a cookbook or educating elemen- students stay in the com-
instructor, six new classes offered, a new tary students about agriculture, students are munity after graduation,
school-based enterprise, and an FFA chapter actively engaged in meaningful, experiential
the long-term hope is
to have them foster this
stewardship in the com-
munity as adults as well
as have them involved in
career opportunities.
The impact of the
program has been great
in the school, district, Check out this video made after being
and community. Through the Bees, Produce, honored with an Innovation Program Award
and Decor program, students’ attendance has from MREA in the fall of 2022: https://www.
improved greatly, and staff sees a notice- youtube.com/watch?v=54JMkPTmJ5Q
able difference in student engagement and
involvement. Students take pride in their
work and are engaged learners in valuable
skills. www.fed.k12.mn.us
Freshwater Education District, thank
you for investing in your students and devel-
oping innovative ways to serve.