By Blake Jackson
Missouri public school students could soon see more agriculture-based science lessons from kindergarten through high school under new bills prefiled in both state legislative chambers.
The proposed legislation would establish a permanent statewide agriculture education program, building on a pilot program that ran from 2020 to 2023. Lawmakers in Missouri’s larger cities hope the initiative will benefit students in both urban and rural areas.
“I am a proponent of continuing to have (agriculture education) … and not just in our rural schools but to have this everywhere so that our kids are exposed to agriculture as a science,” state Sen. Barbara Washington, a Democrat from Kansas City, told The Independent.
Washington filed the bill for a second consecutive year, inspired by her personal experiences with homegrown food and visits to Kansas City schools that incorporate agriculture into their curriculum.
The pilot program began with 44 teachers in third through fifth grades, but participation dropped to 20 teachers by the program’s conclusion. COVID-19 disrupted implementation, and surveys showed educators struggled to complete all lessons, though hands-on activities kept students engaged.
The proposed legislation would not mandate a specific curriculum or format and would remain voluntary.
State Rep. John Martin, a Republican from Columbia, sees opportunities for partnerships with Missouri Farmers Care, which operates Agriculture Education on the Move in some public schools. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education would oversee the program and is open to public-private collaborations.
“It is our intention to work side by side with the many current commodities groups that are providing this access currently,” the department spokesman said. “It is our hope with this legislation to provide continued access for students in learning about agriculture in the state of Missouri.”
With bipartisan support and growing interest from agriculture organizations, proponents believe the program could expand quickly. “Those farmers who come to my office are so anxious to be a part of exposing their world to children at a younger age,” Washington.
“And if we expose the children to agriculture now, then they know that there are opportunities for them in the workforce.” The estimated cost for teacher training is $116,000 annually, with additional funding possible as the program grows.
Photo Credit: livingimages
Categories: Missouri, Education, Government & Policy