Case delivers wisdom to MU students
By Taryn Dameron

Larry Case, National FFA Advisor, discussed the importance of agricultural education with students and faculty at Memorial Union on Aug 25.

"The agriculture, food and natural resources industry is essential for the world, and it is important for those who work in these areas to have a good foundation," Case said. "They also need quality agricultural experience to lead and grow beyond technology and education and to achieve success."

"There is currently more demand for agriculture educators than supply of individuals willing to work in that field," Case said.

Adding to the shortage is the statistic that half of new agriculture teachers quit within their first five years, and half of that number falls within the first two years.

So why aren't people willing to teach agriculture?

"I have found that I want to educate people on a level higher than high school," Tiffany Crews, senior Agricultural Education major said. "Someday I may return to teaching, but right now, I want to work in human relations for an agricultural firm."

Agricultural education offers a unique student/teacher relationship in which teachers are able to watch students succeed, build personal connections with students and help to develop the "whole person." Necessary skills Case outlined for agriculture teachers included a good work ethic and the discipline to live a balanced life.

"When working in agricultural education you know you've had an important influence on a person's life," Case said. "A million bucks can't buy that."

Case saw no shortage of jobs for those entering agricultural education with National FFA planning to create 3,000 programs over the next 10 years. CAFNR students should have no problem finding these opportunities thanks to Missouri's In-Service Education Program, which Case noted as one of the best in the country.

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