Twenty-four students from seven schools in Kansas have been awarded the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Kansas Agriculture Skills & Competencies Certificate.
Schools with students earning certificates include Buhler USD 313, Centre USD 397, Hill City USD 281, Holton USD 336, Labette County USD 506, Prairie View USD 362 and Rock Hills USD 107.
Students have demonstrated excellence in their agriculture education programs and completed requirements in three agriculture education areas of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience learning and leadership development through FFA. Students are also required to have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in all school courses.
Kurt Dillon, KSDE Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Cluster Consultant said that well-prepared students are important to the future of Kansas. “We need bright students who have a variety of skills and are interested in working in the field of agriculture. Students who have demonstrated the required proficiencies to earn this certificate should be congratulated.”
The Kansas Department of Agriculture is committed to equipping the agriculture industry with a dynamic and well-equipped workforce that meets the diverse needs of the industry today. “We need technical specialists to provide research in agronomy, technology and animal science fields. We also require well-rounded and capable young people to operate high-tech machinery on our dairies, ranches and farms. Kansas agriculture is extremely diverse and growing and the industry requires a well-equipped workforce to help support that growth in our great state,” said Kerry Wefald, Marketing Director.
This certificate has been endorsed by the Kansas agricultural community, including Kansas FFA Foundation, Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Grain & Feed Association, Kansas Livestock Associations and other industry organizations and employers.
Applications for the Kansas Agriculture Skills & Competencies Certificate are accepted each spring. To find more information, visit agriculture.ks.gov/ageducation.
