Page 19 - KMA Ag Mag 2020

KMAland 2020 Overcoming Current Challenges in the Ag Community 19

The Future of Agriculture

education in Shenandoah fo- dents who are in the classroom
cuses on the definition of agri- now. The FFA Creed gave us the
culture. As a freshman, the defi- framework to teach the students.
nition is narrow. They often say The innovations have changed
that agriculture is farming. Pro- our mindset, but the principles
duction agriculture or farming will always be here that agricul-
ture is vibrant and relevant.
accounts for only 2% of agricul-
I ture in today’s market. Yet, the
agriculture industry is the na-
tion’s number one employer. So,
what makes up the other 98%,
By Sarah Martin it’s the science, technology, and
production of food, fiber, and
“ I believe in the future of agricul- fuel. We focus on the fact that
ture with a faith born not of words students would not get to school
but of deeds …” without ethanol in their cars,

clothes on their backs, and the
These are the first words of food on their tables without all
the FFA Creed by E.M. Tiffany. beginning with a farmer. This
He was a visionary way before definition becomes the mission
his time, but yet we see how of those who teach agriculture.
these words ring true everyday Therefore, generations before
in the American landscape. Ag- our students today, learned the
riculture is the backbone of our FFA Creed as well as the stu-
community. We need to ask our-
selves..`` How do we teach the
next generation of agricultural-
ists?” They will be asked to lead,
innovate and impact the future
of environmental sustainability,
policy issues, hunger fighters,
and technology. These advance-
ments will come by “...better
days through better ways even
as the better things we now
enjoy come to us through the
struggle of former years…” (FFA
Creed, EM Tiffany).
The first lesson in agricultural