January 27, 2006
AMES, Iowa — The future of agricultural education in Iowa will be discussed beginning at 6:30 p.m. Feb 16. at a public hearing broadcast on the Iowa Communications Network from Iowa State University.
The Governor’s Council on Agricultural Education is conducting the public hearing, titled "Creating Life-changing Opportunities Through Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource Education," to seek ideas for expanding agricultural education in Iowa. There are 242 agricultural education secondary school programs offered out of the state’s 370 school districts.
Robert Martin, chair of the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies at Iowa State and member of the Governor’s Council on Agricultural Education, is helping to coordinate the public hearing.
Public hearing organizers invite individuals interested in agriculture and education including students, parents, school administrators, advisory groups, educators, agribusiness people, entrepreneurs and farmers.
Participants will be asked to discuss topics and suggestions to improve agricultural education in Iowa, including: should all students learn about agriculture, food and natural resources; what would it take to expand those programs; what should the plan be to expand agricultural education; and how can these programs enhance leadership and career development for students.
The discussions will be at these ICN sites:Albert City, Albert City Truesdale High School, 300 Orchard St., Room 100Algona, Algona High School, 600 S. Hale, Room 86Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College, Building 6, Room 8Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College, Dairy Education Center, Room #114Carroll, Carroll Kuemper High School, 809 N. Grant Road, Room A169Cedar Falls, Cedar Falls AEA, 3712 Cedar Heights Dr.Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College, Washington Hall, Room 104Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College, Looft Hall, Room CC3Creston, Green Valley AEA, 1405 N. Lincoln, Turner RoomDubuque, Dubuque Senior High School, 1800 Clarke Dr., Room A-123Fort Dodge, Fort Dodge High School, 819 N. 25th St., Room 12Gilbert, Gilbert High School, 103 Mathews Dr., Room 116Johnston, Iowa Public Television, McElroy RoomMarshalltown, Iowa Valley Community College, Wolfe Building, 3405 S. Center St., Room 2102Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College, Careers Building, Room 118Muscatine, Muscatine Community College, Larson Hall, Room 60Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College, Rosenman Video Conference and Training CenterSheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College, Sheldon CC1, Room 402DShenandoah, Shenandoah High School, 1000 Mustang Dr., Ed May CenterSioux City, Sioux City East High School, 11 Mayhew Ave., Room 215West Burlington, Southeastern Community College, Building 300, Room 331