Ellis Clark Agri-Science And Technology Center:

A Little School With A Big Reputation

By Laurie Borst

Agriculture is a billion-dollar per year industry in Connecticut. A billion dollars in corn and tobacco? No, agriculture encompasses far more, including dairy, aquaculture, forestry, wildlife management, equine management, and horticulture among other fields.

Where will the industry find qualified people? How does one prepare for a career in agriculture?

Tucked away in the rolling hills of Woodbury is a small school with a big focus on agriculture. Ellis Clark Regional Agriculture and Technology Center is part of Region #14, located on the campus of Nonnewaug High School.

Nonnewaug High is one of six schools in the country that were chosen to receive the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Outstanding Middle/Secondary Agricultural Education Program Award in 2004.

And, William Davenport, director of the Agri-Science Program, was named the 2004 Connecticut State Teacher of the Year. He was also the recipient of the National Association of Agricultural Educators Outstanding Teacher Award for the entire United States.

Several weeks ago, the center threw open its doors and invited the public, in particular eighth graders and their parents, to have a look at the program. Faculty and students were on hand to give tours and answer questions. There was a distinct air of camaraderie and respect between teachers and students.

Juniors and seniors took visitors on tours of the facility. This includes an indoor conservatory, greenhouse, and floriculture workrooms, small machine shop, computer labs, small animal lab, livestock, horse barn, and processing rooms. The facilities were impressive.

There are currently 300 students enrolled in the agri-science program. Ninety spots are available for incoming freshmen. Last year, Ellis Clark received 180 applications for those spots.

How do they decide which students will be accepted? First, a student must have a demonstrated interest in agriculture or a related field, and be able to work in the area of interest.

Second, the applicant must meet standards of scholastic ability and behavior as set by the high school.

There are three components to the agri-science educational experience: 1) classroom, laboratory, and field instruction to learn the technical aspects and their practical application, along with study in core courses; 2) work experience, minimum 200 hours; and 3) participation in FFA, which teaches leadership, citizenship, cooperation, and skill development.

Incoming freshman take an introductory course that gives them a taste of the different areas in which they may specialize: animal science, plant science, ag mechanics, introduction to FFA, and tractor driving. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a Federal Certificate of Training for tractor driving.

During the sophomore year, students take courses in the area of interest. Agricultural mechanics courses include welding and metal working, small engines, and new machine set up. Computers in agriculture, as in all fields, is essential for preparation of today’s students.

Conservation includes map and compass, chainsaw safety, wildlife management, and forest products. Horse management students study horse evaluation and identification, tack and equitation and ways to enjoy the horse. Veterinary science, agricultural production, floriculture, and landscaping are other areas of specialized study.

The junior and senior years, students delve deeper into their chosen field. Surveying, farmshop planning and layout, small engine overhaul, biotechnology, reproduction and genetics, feeds and nutrition, water quality, and horsemanship are some of the advanced courses students take.

Whether an artist or a scientist, students can find outlets through the agri-science program. Artistic types can focus on designing gardens, interior landscaping, or floral design. Scientists can study identification and taxonomy, the chemistry of fertilizers, or plants and transplanting.

Students with a business interest can learn about managing greenhouses, farm shops, or equine endeavors. Ethics are presented through courses like horse ownership responsibilities.

The Supervised Agricultural Experience Program (SAEP) is a requirement for the school. A minimum of 200 hours must be obtained during the year in an approved position. Past students have worked at retail feed stores, nurseries, on farms, teaching horseback riding, and many other fields. Last year’s graduating seniors averaged 600 hours in their senior year alone, reported Mr Davenport.

All students in the agri-science program must join the FFA. This program teaches leadership, citizenship, cooperation, and skill development. One of the skills acquired is public speaking, a crucial skill that gives students an edge in a competitive world.

Students can work on presentations based on their SAEPs for local, state, and national levels of competition within FFA. This fall, Liz Cole, a freshman at Franklin and Marshall and Newtown resident, took second place at the national competition.

The Ellis Clark Agri-Science program has an excellent reputation with colleges and universities. Ellis Clark graduates have been accepted at UConn, Western Connecticut State University, Texas A&M, Rochester Polytechnic Institute, and Worcester Institute of Technology, among others.

In the past ten years, two of the valedictorians at Nonnewaug High School have been agri-science students. Eighty-two percent of last year’s ag students went to two- or four-year colleges.

Those interested in learning more about the program at Ellis Clark Agri-Science and Technology Center can visit the website woodburyffa.org or call Bill Davenport, 266-4038.