who understand science and scientific farm with a big barn housing 350 head of any one of a few dozen different certificates
processes, students who communicate well, livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, offered in the agriculture cluster makes
in writing as well as orally.” swine, poultry, and rabbits. them better candidates for employment.
Baker says students who come out of high “We have an aquaculture center with huge For example, a student who earns the high
school with a broad and strong academic tanks and a pond (see “In the Swim” below) school floral certification regulated by the
base hold the keys for success in college and and a horticulture center with a state-of-the- Texas State Florists’ Association (TSFA) can
in careers in agriculture. “I want students art greenhouse, garden plots, and orchard. begin working as an entry-level florist rather
with inquisitive minds who have learned “Our meat-processing lab includes a than as an assistant.
to be self-starters,” he says, “because what I smokehouse, hanging coolers, and freezers,” To earn the certification, students must
want is what the industry wants.” Mack continues. “Students learn about meat complete two specific courses (Floral Design
processing and making specialty products & Interior Landscape Development as
unique Opportunities like jerky. In our mechanized agriculture well as Advanced Floral Design) and then
The 90-acre land laboratory at Childress lab, students do everything from restoring pass both a written and a practical exam
High School is not the only example of vintage tractors and building trailers to administered by the TSFA.
unusual classroom learning opportunities concrete and electrical work.” Other popular certification programs
offered in Agriculture, Food & Natural These hands-on activities not only make include certified landscape technician, meat
Resources. Several agriscience magnet learning more interesting, they give students processing, Texas master gardener, and
schools located in Texas offer unique the kind of experience that makes them certified veterinary assistant.
opportunities. stronger job candidates. These certification programs give
At James Madison High School in San students an advantage in the employment
Antonio, for example, Northeast Agriscience industry Certifications marketplace and are also valuable for
Magnet Program Director John Mack Certifications of specific skills, usually college-bound students. If students are
proudly cites the facilities available to his administered by industry associations in working while attending college, the
students. “Even though we’re an urban conjunction with courses taught in high certification enables them to land better jobs
school,” he says, “We have a 15-acre school school, work to students’ advantage. Earning that will pay more toward their education.
S P o T L I G H T
IN tHE SWIM
Northeast Agriscience magnet
Program Teaches Aquaculture
T
he aquaculture program at James madison
High school in san antonio gives students a
chance to get their feet wet in agriculture, food &
natural resources.
“we have five courses in that program of study,”
notes northeast agriscience magnet program begin working with saltwater tanks to grow coral environmental technology through projects covering
director John mack, “and they provide students for use in aquariums. subjects like erosion control and pesticide runoff.
with an opportunity to study fish in every stage although still a relatively small industry, one senior has received three national awards
from egg to plate. we use everything from large aquaculture is the fastest-growing segment of for her aquaculture research, which involved
500-gallon tanks in a converted greenhouse to big agriculture, mack points out. “It’s definitely up-and- testing which water-filtering systems are the most
outdoor ponds to breed the fish, to grow them from coming,” he says. “Just about all of the fish you buy efficient for filtering out fish waste.
eggs to maturity, and then to harvest them.” in stores or eat in restaurants are now farm-raised.” “she’s won $20,000 so far just from
for the first time this fall, students will actually In addition to raising fish, students in aquaculture competitions,” mack says, “and she has more
be selling the catfish and tilapia they raise in the courses research water quality and availability opportunities for scholarships, as well. This
meat science lab’s retail market. students will issues. students learn about conservation and research is her ticket to college.”
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