Indiana's Agriculture Cultivates New Opportunities for Urban High-School Students
Lt. Governor Skillman's Hoosier Ag Science Academy Continues Strong After One Year
Rocío Méndez gently wraps her arms around a lamb as a dozen of her classmates from the Lawrence Early College High School gather in the school parking lot. Méndez, a junior at LEC, runs her hand down the sheep’s back and is surprised to discover the animal’s coat is much coarser than what she expected.
Rocío Méndez, a junior in the Hoosier Ag Science Academy, holds a lamb for the first time. Lt. Governor Becky Skillman developed the program to give urban students an opportunity to receive an education in agriculture.
"I thought it would feel soft, like cotton," said Méndez. "I have petted dogs and cats, but never a lamb before."
Méndez is not alone. The students, all from urban areas, are enrolled in the Hoosier Ag Science Academy at LEC, and have no prior experience with farm animals. Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman developed the academy almost a year ago to give students an opportunity to learn about the science and business of agriculture.
As the students took turns holding the lamb, they are learning about agriculture hands on. The students got excited when a curious group of toddlers in strollers gathered around them. The students shared with the youngsters how the sheep’s coat has a dual purpose. They explained how the coat is turned into wool, and the grease from the coat is used in lotion.
According to Méndez, the HASA has been an awesome experience. Although she is not planning on going into the agricultural industry, Méndez said the academy’s science and technology courses have prepared her to be a nurse. Méndez, who grew up in California and Hawaii, plans on working in Indiana once she graduates from Purdue University.
"The Hoosier Ag Science Academy is doing exactly what it is supposed to do," said Skillman, who is also the state’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "It is opening doors and exposing college-bound high school students to Indiana’s agriculture industry."
Indiana’s agriculture contributes $25 billion a year to the economy. According to Skillman, she expects this number to increase as Indiana’s students train for agribusiness careers. The academy prepares students for careers in science, technology, and specifically, agribusiness.
Keeping college students employed in Indiana after graduation has been a challenge that Governor Daniels and Lt. Gov. Skillman have tackled since taking office in 2005. The HASA is just one program developed by Skillman to encourage Indiana students to get involved in one of Indiana’s cornerstone industries, agriculture. "Indiana has a long tradition of agriculture, which is a source of pride and an economic force in our state. My priority is to ensure agriculture thrives in our state, and offers new opportunities for the benefit of all Hoosiers. The HASA is one way we are doing that," said Skillman.
A student from the Lawrence Early College High School’s Hoosier Ag Science Academy proudly shows a lamb to a group of toddlers. Students in the HASA are learning about different aspects of Indiana’s agriculture for the first time.
Students enrolled in the HASA earn high school science credits for work after school hours or in the summer. Classes are held at the Ivy Tech Community College campus in Lawrence.
Students enrolled at LEC, not only have an opportunity to earn high school diploma, but also an associate’s degree from Ivy Tech. The HASA provides students with one-on-one education to ensure that each student comprehends the work, and also is consistently challenged to help keep them on track to earn their associates. The academy also teaches a wide variety of subjects as well.
Students learn about plant and soil science, horticulture, agribusiness management, landscaping and natural resources. Most of the learning takes place outside of the classroom through hands-on experiences with trips to places like Red Gold, Fair Oaks Farm and Dow Agro Sciences.
As more and more students become interested in the HASA, Skillman hopes to work with additional schools to expand the academy to all regions of Indiana.
"All students, from rural to urban communities, deserve the opportunity to be competitive in today’s agricultural job market. The academy is certainly making that a reality," said Skillman.
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