Page 7 - TTMNSpring2025

Agriculture
Teaching Today Minnesota | Spring 2025 Page 7

Ag Program at BLHS is About Preparing Students for Success

Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart Welding 1 and 2 are immersed in hands- for the greenhouse class to store extra pots, soil,
Schools on learning techniques to practice various and materials in. Students have been learning
Within the communities of beads in MIG, stick, and TIG. There is also an hands-on carpentry skills including laying out
Buffalo Lake, Hector, and Stewart is the agri- 8 x 4 CNC plasma cutting table that practices the walls and floor joists, framing, and making
cultural program that is built on a foundation of CAD software skills. We create fire pits for the a gambrel roof. To round out the year, students
hands-on learning, real-world applications, and Buffalo Lake annual ice fishing contest raffle will be shingling, installing the door, and fin-
collaboration. BLHS graduates about 30-35 stu- as well as other items that support positive ishing trim. Through these hands-on situations,
dents each year as we serve around 100 students school culture. In Welding 2, students complete students not only gain technical expertise but
each year in the agriculture department. Our the OSHA-10 General Industry certification to also improve their problem-solving, critical
courses include Welding 1 & 2, Home Mainte- utilize beyond high school. Two years ago, a thinking, and teamwork abilities.
nance, Small Gas Engines, Woodworking, and local manufacturing business, Schweiss Doors, The Woodworking class completes a
Ag Construction; as well as classroom courses generously donated new welding booths, cus- variety of projects each year, ranging from
of Food Science, Vet Science, Middle School tomized welding tables, storage cabinets, and duck houses, cutting boards, outdoor furniture
Ag, Natural Resources, and Horticulture. Our a manifold system. We also received Perkins and games, to coffee tables, nightstands, and
small, but mighty program encourages real- funding and a MAELC grant to purchase new personal projects. Last year, over 30 students
life experiences to advance students’ careers in Miller welders and a hand held plasma cutter. enrolled in Woods 1, resulting in two different
agriculture. This has greatly increased the quality of stu- sections. We were fortunate to have a commu-
BLHS partners with nearby businesses dents’ education and opportunities for welding nity expert, Brad Dobberstein, come in each
and colleges to provide opportunities for our projects which meet current industry standards. day for over a month to help students with
students to see local career options after high A favorite among students is the Home their woodworking projects. Additionally, he
school. Each year, we tour a local manufactur- Maintenance class, where students complete 14 assisted with teaching about machine mainte-
ing business with the welding classes. We also lab scenarios that could be done in a real home. nance in the shop. He is a fantastic mentor that The skills our students acquire and the experi-
host a career fair for grades 9–12 that foster a Labs include framing a wall, wiring an outlet, greatly helped our program. ences they share with others will serve as the
connection between our students and potential wiring a 3-way switch, PEX plumbing that con- Ultimately, our agricultural program is foundation for their future endeavors in the
employers. In addition to the career fair, BLHS nects to a sink, insulation, sheetrock, mud and about preparing students for success, whether ever-changing world of agriculture.
partners with a nearby college for a “Teacher taping, repairing a hole, and painting. Each of that means pursuing a career in agriculture and
Takeover”. This event features 10–15 various these labs simulate as if they are on a job, and trades, entering the workforce, or continuing
programs, instructors and even some of their students are tasked to complete the job and their education in the field. We have a strong
students “takeover” the agriculture depart- write a report with materials used. support system through the BLHS FFA Alumni, www.blhsd.org
ment during the day to interact with students to Within the Ag Construction class, stu- who provide immense funding and networking
develop an interest in post-secondary education. dents are building a new 8' x 12' garden shed opportunities to further advance our program.

20+

Agriculture and
Natural Resources
programs to
choose
from!
#1 BEST VALUE COLLEGE IN MN & ND
Hands-on learning means you won't spend all your time behind a Only 4-year Only 4-year
desk. Our majors are designed around experiential learning whether HORTICULTURE AGRONOMY
that’s in the animal barn, out in the field, or at a state forest — all degree in degree in
Our
these spaces are considered our “classrooms.” You can become a MN animal science MN
leader in the areas of agriculture and natural resources as you learn 100+ livestock on campus including program garners a
horses, cows, sheep, and goats
to balance environmental sustainability with the use of emerging 90%
technologies to enhance production. acceptance rate
REAL. HANDS-ON. READY. into veterinary
Our goal is to prepare you for your future. Real world experience is Learn more: www.umcrookston.edu school
key and we provide you a career-ready education.