Date: June 29, 2017

Contact: Nicole Nelson, Executive Director Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators (WAAE)   PO Box 935; East Troy, WI 53120 262-470-8369 (voice or text)

LOCAL AGRICULTURE EDUCATOR ATTENDS STATE CONFERENCE

APPLETON, WIS. – [FILL IN SCHOOL NAME] agriculture educator/FFA Advisor, [FILL IN INSTRUCTOR NAME(S)] attended the annual Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Education (WAAE) Professional Development Conference in Appleton, Wis. on June 25-29, 2017.

The theme of the conference was “Diamond Anniversary Celebration of 100 years of Agricultural Education.” With the passage of the 1917 Smith-Hughes Act passed by the United States Congress, this was a documented year in honoring and celebrating the official beginnings of agricultural education. It developed into a supportive national system for career and technical education. The conference was supported by many sponsors, including Cooperative Network and Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board as platinum-level sponsors.

WAAE’s conference brings nearly 300 agricultural educators from both secondary and post-secondary levels together to network with colleagues, individuals from business and industry and gain tools to assist them in strengthening local agriculture programs. Agricultural education is critical at all levels of the education system as these classes provide students the skills and knowledge needed for careers in this fast-paced and dynamic industry. Wisconsin’s agricultural industry works to provide food, fuel, fiber, and shelter to meet the needs of the growing world.

The WAAE professional development conference gives members an opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops that focus on the latest trends in agriculture, technology and innovative strategies to bring those techniques in the classroom. Agricultural educators are able to meet and network with business leaders, colleagues and sponsors.

Conference attendees participated in professional development workshops to improve teaching techniques and new trends in agriculture. Workshops were available on National Quality Program Standards, How STEM and Modern Agriculture Bridge, Aquaculture/Aquaponics, Food Science/Processing, Plant Science, Soil Science,

Financial Literacy in the Ag Classroom, and Inquiry-Based Instruction, natural resources, using technology in the classroom, program management, and business and industry tours.

WAAE is the professional association for agricultural educators in Wisconsin. Members include 295 middle school, high school, technical college and university educators. The focus of the association is to provide professional development, legislative support and educational resources for teachers to enhance their local agriculture education programs.

For more information about your local agriculture education program and to find out how you can support agriculture in your community, please contact your local agriculture education instructor or call WAAE at www.waae.com.  

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