An agriscience teacher says successful FFA programs are as strong as their local community support.
Aaron Saari is the longest-serving agricultural sciences teacher at Maple Valley Public Schools, which is located about 30 minutes southwest of Lansing.
“Kids come in as fresh-faced students and they leave here as young adults all ready take on the world,” he says. “And I think FFA and ag education is a huge aspect in how they develop their leadership skills, how they develop their life skills.”
Saari’s program today includes a livestock barn, two greenhouses, and a 30-acre land lab, which he says would not be possible without dedicated volunteers and alumni support.