Industrial arts teacher Zach Cooper is teaching Introduction to Agriculture. It is the first year students can take this class. Students learn about a variety of things like chickens, cows, pigs and other animals. Students also learn about the differences in soil like whether it’s clay, silty soil or sandy soil along with what plants grow best in which soil.

The students seem to be very interested in the class and seem to be enjoying learning in this class.

“I think it’s very interesting and enjoyable to be in,” senior Russell Chitwood said.

The students also do hands-on activities in the class.

“We went through stations tasting different types of cheese and cuts of meat,” sophomore Darrek Bishop said. ”There were cuts we had to tell what kind of meat it was, and there’s stuff to get into FFA (Future Farmers of America).”.

Cooper said he has some goals for the students planned out for this school year.

“There are multiple goals for the class: expose kids to agriculture to let them see if they want careers in agriculture, make sure kids have fun, make kids aware of how agriculture is a part of their everyday life even if it’s not their career,” he said. “[It also helps] build self-confidence in students and develop communication skills.”