Agriculture program adapts to restrictions imposed by COVID-19 era at Pleasant Hill High

By DEAN REA/Correspondent/The Herald —Pleasant Hill agricultural students are adapting to the COVID-19 world by sharpening business and communication skills, school board members were told Monday night.

Five students told school board members that they have acquired communication skills, including how to build websites and how to create and to present a visual report, which was shown during the board meeting.

Angela White, the life science/agriculture teacher, also outlined how COVID-19 has impacted the program this year with the help of five students: Erin Arney, Hunter Drews, Savannah White, Tressa Geyer and Zoey Brott.

Later, in response to questions asked by a Herald reporter, White described how the program has adapted to the COVID-19 era:

“The one thing that sets the CTE (career and technical education) programs above others is in-person, hands-on, real-life experience. Without the opportunity to meet directly with industry members, to take tours, to compete in proficiency-based events, it really wasn’t much different than all of the other virtual learning taking place.

“Sitting in front of a computer reading information, watching videos, often feeling alone: This is not what CTE is nor what FFA promotes and advocates.

“Students miss this hands-on, real-life, real skill-building experience. The best I can describe it is trying to teach swimming with no water, or cooking with no food, or sewing with no needle. We learned the basic concepts but lacked opportunities to practice and perfect tactile skill development.

“In agriculture this is vital. To be able to evaluate, prioritize, taste smell, see, touch products and goods distributed worldwide.

“Our chapter decided at the beginning of Covid to work on skills that were primarily focused on business and personal success. So, our focus was on writing, speaking, communications and financial management.

“While we still covered a significant amount of curriculum in soil sciences, horticulture, natural resource management, animal sciences and forestry, our program focused on personal skills to increase individual success.

“Most students created their first resume, designed their first marketing flyer and distributed hundreds of thank-you letters to family, community members and supporters.

“All agricultural students grades 7 through 12 have an at-home ag project. This supervised agricultural experience is the primary way that skill development, goal-setting and project completion were measured this year. I look forward to students presenting their projects in the month of May.

“I’ve now seen how resilient and amazing students are in the moments of difficult challenges, where nothing is normal, everything is new and life is how you view it.

“I could not be prouder of my students in the opportunities they pursued and the character they built as individuals.  Turning Covid struggles into building personal strengths was evident.”

­—30—