By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent
 
RAVENNA, Mich. — Ravenna High School’s agriscience program is one of the best in the nation. Led by agriscience teacher and FFA adviser Melanie Block, it was recently selected as one of the top six programs nationwide by the National Assoc. of Agricultural Educators (NAAE).

The NAAE annually honors six middle school and high school programs for their overall success, growth and motivation. Ravenna won for Region IV. Block will be recognized at the NAAE Convention in November in Nashville, Tenn.

Block said when she learned Ravenna’s program was a winner, she “screamed – I was terribly excited.

“I just really didn’t expect this. I know how many great programs are out there. I’m really proud of what we have established here. We don’t have the resources that other schools do.”

Block, who is in her 10th year teaching agriscience in the school district, attributes the program’s success to community members who recognize agriculture’s importance.

“We have a tremendous amount of community support here, and it is the main reason for the program’s success,” she said.

In highlighting Ravenna’s accomplishments, the NAAE noted that every student in the school’s agriscience program has a supervised agricultural experience. In addition, students conduct an annual two-day festival called Farm Days, which provides agricultural-related activities for children. The students are responsible for the curriculum as well as securing sponsors, prizes and animals for the event.

“On the first day we go in and teach the children where their food comes from. We know that now most families are at least three generations removed from the farm.

We think it’s important for children to learn that their food comes from the farm,” Block said. “We try to make sure that we educate them when they are young so they can carry that knowledge with them.”

On the second day, participants are introduced to “all kinds of farm animals. The kids really enjoy seeing the variety of animals,” Block said.

At the end of the day, students are given goodie bags filled with items from Michigan agricultural organizations to take home. “We think that helps drive home the lessons and it gives them something to talk about as a family,” she said.

The Ravenna FFA chapter’s work with Farm Days was recognized in 2008 when the chapter won the state Food for America competition. Block also was honored as the Michigan Farm Bureau Agriscience Educator of the Year in 2006.

Ravenna’s FFA members also have assisted elementary school students in designing a peace garden and they have adopted the Musketawa Trail and help keep it clean. In addition, Block’s leadership class mentors preschool students weekly, explaining agriculture to them, and students use National FFA Week as an opportunity to visit eighth-grade classes and recruit students for the agriculture program.

“I don’t put pressure on our children to win. I want them to do the best that they can do,” Block said.

Ravenna High School student Jasper Cunningham is proud of the program.

“Our chapter works hard together to achieve more than we could do as individuals. Mrs. Block has shown us the potential we have and how we can harness what we are able to accomplish,” he said.