Member Kayden Brewer (center) teaches elementary students about beef.

The Nixa FFA Chapter, located in southwest Missouri, is taking agricultural education to the next level by partaking in Ag Ed on the Move. Each week, Nixa FFA members visit one of their local elementary schools, where they teach third grade students about agriculture.

At the start of the semester, the elementary students are given a short quiz to see how much they already know about agriculture. At the end of the semester, they are given the same quiz to see how much their knowledge has grown through this program.

Throughout the semester, students complete hands-on activities led by Nixa FFA members, as well as lessons and worksheets to complete with the members. These activities are a fun and informative way to teach students about agriculture.

Students make butter as an activity for a lesson on dairy.

What They Learn

These elementary students take a tour through agriculture with every lesson. Through this program, students have planted their own soybean seeds to go with their soybean lesson, created corn plastic for a lesson on corn and played Beef-O-Bingo, where each space represented a byproduct of beef. These activities keep students engaged and let them see the world of agriculture through a classroom setting.

This program not only teaches elementary students, but also the FFA members who spend their time teaching it. Through Ag Ed on the Move, FFA members learn how to put together lessons and activities, as well as how to teach in a classroom setting. This not only benefits students looking for a career in education, but it also helps them everyday tasks, such as presenting information and working together as a team to create a product.

From a Member’s Perspective

Kanyon Faust is a sophomore in high school and the Strengthening Agriculture committee vice president for the Nixa FFA Chapter. Faust has firsthand experience in leading lessons for his chapter’s Ag Ed on the Move program partnership.

“My experience with this program has been incredibly rewarding,” he says. “The students are so engaged and attentive that they make me think about various topics. Almost every day, they ask questions, which is both entertaining and enlightening. Watching their growth and development throughout the semester has been a joy.”

Start Your Journey

If Ag Ed on the Move sounds like it belongs in your Missouri chapter, consider making it your Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) and applying for a SAE Grant through the National FFA Organization’s website.