Owl Pellets: Tips for Ag Teachers

Teach Grand Challenges: Solving the Agriculture Labor Shortage

Grand challenge in this episode: Solving the Agriculture Labor Shortage

About the Challenge

The purpose of this project is to leverage a preexisting online professional development resource and its large following of SBA educators to create a more effective model of professional development where teachers engage in immersive experiences in agriculture, capture those experiences via the formats already used by Owl Pellets, and share them with their peers to develop an ever-growing community of practice around grand agricultural challenges founds within teachers’ local communities and FANH careers. One of the primary goals of this project is to re-engage SBA educators in the challenges, technology, and work of their local agricultural community – making grand challenges local.

Visit the Teach Grand Challenges website.

About the Guests

Ethan Dado is a fourth year agriculture, food, and natural resources (AFNR) educator and FFA advisor in Mankato, MN. Dado’s first year of teaching was also the recreation of the Mankato AFNR and FFA programming. Since the program’s inception, Dado has led the program from 40 to over 350 students and the program has been recognized at the local and state level. Dado has been selected as the Minnesota Association of Career and Technical Education Administrators, “Teacher of the Year” as well as the Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators, “Teacher Turn the Key” recipient. Outside of teaching, Dado enjoys traveling, hiking, volleyball, and spending time with his family and friends.

 

Teach Grand Challenges: Cattle Awareness and Food Inequity

Grand challenges in this episode: Beef Cattle Awareness and Food Inequity

About the Challenge

The purpose of this project is to leverage a preexisting online professional development resource and its large following of SBA educators to create a more effective model of professional development where teachers engage in immersive experiences in agriculture, capture those experiences via the formats already used by Owl Pellets, and share them with their peers to develop an ever-growing community of practice around grand agricultural challenges founds within teachers’ local communities and FANH careers. One of the primary goals of this project is to re-engage SBA educators in the challenges, technology, and work of their local agricultural community – making grand challenges local.

Visit the Teach Grand Challenges website.

About the Guests

Lacie Darnell is an agricultural education teacher at Norwich High School in Norwich, Kansas. Lacie has been an agricultural educator for the last eight years, with experience in southwest and south central Kansas. Lacie grew up in a small town, in which her family owned a large beef operation outside of Anthony, Kansas. From a young age, Lacie learned to love and appreciate the ranching lifestyle and has many fond memories of the farm in her childhood. From there, Lacie began being active in FFA which led her to her career in agricultural education. Her passions include agriculture awareness, specifically with animal agriculture, as well as plant and soil systems. Outside of teaching, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé, step daughter, dogs, gardening/landscaping, and attending sporting events.

Dr. Tiffany G. Morey is an agricultural educator and change agent from New Jersey. She holds a B.S. in Animal Science from Rutgers University-Cook College, an M.Ed. in Agricultural Education from the Rutgers University Graduate School of Education, and a PhD in Agricultural and Extension Education from The Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Morey has a passion for educating others on where their food comes from, exploring ways to provide people with locally grown produce to create healthier and more nutritious meals, and helping to solve food accessibility, equality, and equity issues in her community. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her horse, volunteering at a therapeutic horseback riding program, running, cooking, and spending time with her family.

How People Learn Series: Learning Across the Lifespan

The Owl Pellets crew chats about learning across the lifespan in the final episode of the How People Learn series.

How People Learn Series: Motivation

The Owl Pellets crew discusses a new take of motivation in this episode of the How People Learn series.

Using a Metacognitive Strategy

In this episode, we hear from Deer Park High School agriculture teacher Savannah Schroeder and Texas A&M's Peng Lu and Matt Baker about a study using eye-tracking technology to learn about the use of metacognitive strategy and reading.

• SQ5R (Scan, Question, Read, Respond, Recite, Record, Review) is a strategy to support reading comprehension
• It works by supporting information transfer from short term memory to long term memory
• Patience is key. Learning doesn’t happen by magic bullets and quick fixes. Give it time!

Transformative Learning

In this episode, Oklahoma State's Courtney Brown and Lauren Cline join the Owl Pellets crew to discuss shifting the conversation about what diversity brings to agriculture.

• Students left a course about African Americans in agriculture feeling empowered, able to connect, knowledgeable, ready to engage in hard conversations, and curious
• Nervous about entering this conversation? Start with your own education! Check out the Legacy of the New Farmers of America or Crucial Conversations. Think about how you can shift your perspective rather than leaning in closer to what you already know to learn more.
• Much of the conversation about what diversity brings to agriculture focuses on efficiency and production. Let’s shift the conversation to value the people and their human dignity.

Adjusting, Appeasing, and Rearranging

In this episode, the Owl Pellets crew chats with Oregon State's Dr. Haley Traini about the managing expectations and how ag. teachers do it all.

• Teachers often look successful on the outside, but aren’t satisfied on the inside as they try to meet real and perceived expectations.
• There is real challenge in trying to sift through the available opportunities without engaging in everything.
• Rethinking expectations happens at every level; have a conversation with someone who can work with you to move the needle today.

How People Learn Series: Memory

The Owl Pellets crew discusses memory, specifically the systems and distinct processes associated with memory that contribute to learning.

Student Achievement in Ag. & Science Concepts

In this episode, Virginia Tech's Natalie Ferand shares "illuminating" information about the integration of science concepts in our teaching. Highlights include:

• There are three types of teachers as we think about integrating science concepts: vocational purists, illumination attempters, and science illuminators. You might be one or the other depending on what you’re teaching.
• Science illuminators aren’t necessarily looking to change their curriculum. They work to highlight a key science (or math or English) concept in what they’re already teaching.
• Great curriculum is a team effort and takes a ton of time. Check out STEM It Up as a great example to boost your Floriculture program.

Openness & Preparedness for Ag. Technology

Stephen McBride (Purdue) joins the crew to discuss openness & preparedness for ag. technology. Highlights include:

• Students are open to new agricultural technologies, but not necessarily prepared to use them
• Technology opens career opportunities for students across the food chain, from production to purchase
• Community members and manufacturers are great resources to support learning new technologies. No need to learn them all on your own!