As I write this, I’m in Minneapolis at the Minnesota State Fair working with my husband, and we have a substitute teacher taking over our FFA Ag Science class. Can I admit how I miss those kids and wonder how they are doing and what they are learning?

 

How can someone fall in love with a group of 24 students so quickly?

I can understand that with my own kids, but with a group of students, most of whom I just met for the first time? How?

I’ve already been told by a veteran teacher that in a month, the newness will wear off, the kids will start experiencing relational break-ups and this will affect their educational journey. So I’ve been warned … but until then, I will enjoy the “honeymoon.”

Last Friday we ventured out to clean up the FFA barn.

The boys naturally tore into the job while the girls were a little more tentative. But it didn’t take long for the young ladies who were hesitant to touch a piece of dirty plastic to get right into it and start pulling things out and adding to the trash pile. I was so proud of them.

The hour went quickly and we still have more work to do, but they made great progress to get ready for the meat chickens to be delivered.

Our first contest will be the broiler contest and I told them the bottom line is, we want to win!

My husband, on the other hand, took the grown-up, educational approach and was stressing the fact that we needed to make a budget for the project, create an environment for the chickens to thrive and make sure we are going to have a quality product to sell when they are processed, with a sound marketing plan.

When he was done, I reiterated, ”And we want to WIN! The whole state is going to know that North Adams-Jerome FFA is back, when we leave that contest.” My husband just looked at me and shook his head.

It’s probably a good idea we are teaching together.

#EverythingInModeration

#ExperienceVsWinning

#Balance

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.