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Goal

This project will improve student achievement by expanding hands-on instruction in agricultural equipment maintenance, mechanical safety, pest monitoring, and natural resource management. Second- and third-year Agritechnology students and Natural Resources 2 students (three classes with approximately 65 students) will apply classroom knowledge through practical activities that build technical proficiency and prepare them for industry-recognized certifications (Agriculture Associate, Agritechnology Specialist, and Agricultural Mechanics). These experiences support career and technical education goals by strengthening workforce readiness, problem-solving, and the application of academic concepts to real-world agricultural settings. 

 

Category

CTE Focused -  

 

What will be done with my students

During the 2026–2027 school year, second- and third-year Agritechnology students will perform supervised preventative maintenance on agricultural equipment, including a tractor, Gator, and excavator, using grant-funded oil, filters, and other maintenance supplies. Students will also monitor the program’s growing systems for pests using pest monitoring stations, identify potential problems, and assist with appropriate pest management strategies.

Natural Resources 2 along with Agritechnology students will use a grant-funded chainsaw and accessories to support the maintenance of campus forested areas. Before participating in equipment-related activities, students will complete appropriate safety instruction and demonstrate proficiency in required safety procedures. Protective equipment, including helmets, chaps, gloves, and hearing protection, will support safe learning experiences. Chainsaw operation will be restricted to appropriately trained students working under supervision and in accordance with applicable safety requirements and school policies. Required parental consent will be obtained before students participate using heavy equipment, power tools, or even hand tools operations.
 

 

Benefits to my Students

Statement of Need: Previous grant funding and support from other partners have enabled our program to acquire agricultural machinery, develop multiple growing systems, and establish facilities for hands-on agricultural and natural resource instruction. These investments provide students with valuable equipment and learning environments, but ongoing maintenance supplies, pest monitoring materials, and appropriate safety equipment are needed to keep these resources operational and maximize their educational value.

This project will build on those investments by giving students opportunities to apply classroom instruction through equipment maintenance, growing-system pest monitoring, and forest management. These experiences will strengthen technical proficiency, workplace safety, and preparation for industry-recognized certifications while helping sustain the resources already established through prior funding.

Students have already demonstrated success by earning industry-recognized certifications early in their high school careers. Our Agriculture programs last year awarded 232 industry certifications. However, only 6 were for the Agritechnology Specialist certification and only 19 were for the Agriculture Associate. These two are the more advanced certifications and are limited to only a few of our students. Expanded hands-on instruction is intended to increase student participation and success in earning these credential. The project will also support preparation for the Agricultural Mechanics certification, a new credential for the program this year.

Student achievement will be measured through safety assessments, teacher-observed demonstrations of maintenance and pest monitoring skills, completed practical activities, and classroom assessments (pre-, mid-, and post-assessments). Certification participation and attainment will be compared with available prior-year data to evaluate progress. Maintenance records and documentation of growing-system monitoring and forest management activities will provide additional evidence of student learning during the 2026–2027 school year. 

 

Budget Narrative

The requested $2,000 will fund essential supplies for hands-on agricultural equipment maintenance, growing-system pest monitoring, and supervised forest management. Maintenance materials will allow students to practice preventative care of existing equipment. Pest monitoring stations will help students identify and monitor pest activity in the program’s growing systems and support informed pest management decisions. A chainsaw, accessories, and protective equipment will support appropriate forest maintenance activities and reinforce workplace safety.

These resources will provide practical learning opportunities that strengthen technical proficiency, support industry certification preparation, and connect classroom instruction to agricultural and natural resource careers.
 

 

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