Social media outlets:
- Facebook: Washington-Wilkes FFA
- Instagram: wwchs_FFA
- Snapchat: wilkes_FFA
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Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources (AFNR)
Agriculture Education (Ag Ed) nurtures leaders in every field imaginable. While some Ag Ed students come from farm families, the vast majority do not. Over 98% of pathway completers go on to work or study in a non-farm, agriculture-related career. Agricultural Education allows students the opportunity to apply mathematics, science, communication, and leadership skills learned throughout high school courses in real world applications while preparing them to enter the workforce directly upon graduation or continue their education in a two-year or four-year college or university.
The opportunities for students with solid Ag Ed skills are booming in fields such as agriscience, animal science, biotechnology, turf management, landscaping, food science, forestry, environmental science, agricultural engineering, agribusiness management, and veterinary medicine. The Ag Ed program combines agricultural technical skills with rigorous coursework, leadership training, an exploration of the ethical and philosophical issues related to genetic engineering, the impact of agriculture on the environment, and other current agricultural topics.
There are two interrelated components to the program: the classroom experience and the student organization, Future Farmers of America (FFA). The optimal benefit of the Agricultural Education program is only truly recognized when students are active participants in both parts of the program. This provides a balanced approach to learning in the Agriculture Education classroom and allows students many opportunities to apply classroom learning in solving real world problems.
AGRICULTURE, FOOD & NATURAL RESOURCES (AFNR) CAREER PATHWAYS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
- Forestry/Wildlife Systems
- Forestry and Animal Science Systems
- Forest Mechanical Systems
- Animal/Mechanical Systems
- Animal Production and Processing
- Food Animal Systems
- Agriculture Mechanics and Electrical Systems (Wiring)
- Agricultural Mechanics and Metal Fabrication (Welding)
- Agriculture Mechanics Systems (Mechanics & Construction)
*7 National Agriculture, Foods, & Natural Resources (AFNR) Career Pathways--Careers Lists* - Click this link to learn about the pathways related to AFNR:
1. Agricultural Business-82 careers
2. Agricultural Mechanics-22 careers
3. Animal Science-42 careers
4. Environmental Services-23 careers
5. Food Science-24 careers
6. Natural Resources-17 careers
7. Plant Science-40 careers
*AFNR Occupations and Careers List* - Click this link to learn about jobs in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources.
*CareerOneStop Career Videos* - Click this link to access career videos related to the AFNR Career Cluster.
Georgia Skilled Trades
There is currently a skilled labor shortage in the country and in Georgia because the labor pool in the skilled trades is aging. You have a strong chance of employment in the skilled trades if you get the right training and education. Annually there are 83,211 craft job openings in Georgia. Every year 185,000 new construction tradesmen are needed. Check out "Why Skilled Trades?" on the GaFutures website linked to learn more. Research to figure out which trade is best for you at BuildGeorgia.com. Watch these videos to learn more about trades in Georgia.
If you are interested in a career in the trades, consider enrolling in Agriculture career pathways that offer foundational skills for future trades people like *Welders *Electrical Workers *Carpenters *Mechanics:
- Agriculture Mechanics and Electrical Systems (Electrical Wiring)
- Agricultural Mechanics and Metal Fabrication (Welding)
- Agriculture Mechanics Systems (Mechanics & Construction)
*Architecture and Construction FNR Occupations and Careers List* - Click this link to learn about jobs in Architecture and Construction.
*CareerOneStop Career Videos* - Click this link to access career videos related to the Architecture and Construction, Manufacturing, and Transportation and Logistics Career Clusters.
*AgCareers.com
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS
- Tractor Supply Co. - "Beyond the Sale: Careers that Deliver"
- John Deere - "John Deere: Careers that Innovate"
- Zoetis - "STEM Careers Improving Animal Health"
- Syngenta - "Technology in Agriculture: Feeding the Growing Globe"
- Cargill - "The Science Behind Your Food"
- Ford Motor Company - Ford F-Series Trucks: Behind the scenes-Design, Engineering, Testing
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CAREER & TECHNICAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION: National FFA Organization (Georgia FFA)
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Founded in 1929
MISSION : The mission of the FFA is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Membership
- Georgia has 42,000 FFA members in 334 local chapters.
- Nationally there are 649,355 FFA members in 7,859 chapters.
- Georgia is the 3rd largest state Association of FFA in the nation.
Events
- Georgia FFA Convention
- National FFA Convention
- Summer Leadership Camp
- Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT) Conference
- FFA Day at the Georgia National Fair
- Discovery Conference (middle school leadership conference)
- Greenhand Jamboree (9th grade leadership conference)
- Success Conference (10-12th grade leadership conference)
- 42 State and Area level Career Development Event (CDE) competitions
- Agriscience Fair
- Region Rally in all three Region (North, Central, South)
- Washington Leadership Conference bus trip
- FFA Day at the State Capitol
Notable
- Nearly 6,000 FFA members, advisors, & guests attend the Georgia FFA Convention.
- More than 3,000 FFA members attend Summer Leadership Camp.
- The Georgia FFA Foundation provides funding, through sponsorships, to provide travel funds for every national competitor from Georgia to attend the National FFA Convention to compete.