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FFA program teaches environmental verification

Students at Charlotte High School are learning about environmental stewardship by walking through the same risk assessments as area farmers.

Nick Thompson, one of the agriscience instructors at the Mid-Michigan high school, says this year the program’s hoop house finalized cropping verification with the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP).

“We were all and all pretty close to getting verified already, but it was a great eye opener for us and for the students to see what farmers really go through and all the things they do when they get MAEAP verified.”

Thompson tells Brownfield over the next two years the agriscience program plans to verify their greenhouse within the greenhouse MAEAP system and their livestock barn under the livestock system. Each year students will have the opportunity to learn about the verification process and what farmers do on a daily basis to protect the environment.

“There are a lot of producers in our community that are MAEAP verified and our students see the signs out in their front yards.” He says, “Having a greater appreciation for what farmers really do and agriculturalist really do in our community to help protect the environment and protect our water quality I think was probably the most eye opening for our students.”

Thompson says other agriscience programs in the state are also in the process to incorporate Michigan’s voluntary stewardship program into curriculum. He says while their assessments are on a smaller scale than most farms, the process helps students become more informed consumers whether they choose agricultural careers or not.

AUDIO: Interview with Nick Thompson (4:00 mp3):