Date: June 29, 2017

Contact: Nicole Nelson, Executive Director Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators (WAAE) PO Box 935; East Troy, WI 53120 262-470-8369 (voice or text)

APPLETON, WIS.- The agriculture program at Baraboo School District in Baraboo, Wis. received the Outstanding Agricultural Education Program Award from the Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators at the WAAE Professional Development Conference in Appleton, Wis. on June 25-29, 2017. This award is generously sponsored by Don and Mary Josko.

The Outstanding Secondary/Middle School program award goes to an agricultural education program and their instructors who have excelled in membership and participation in WAAE and other professional associations, classroom instruction, FFA involvement, and community service.

Baraboo agricultural education program is led by Jennifer Schultz. She continuously challenges her students to become self-sufficient students and individual by using problem solving in the classroom.

Schultz’s program covers several agricultural pathways ranging from biotechnology to landscaping. She also provides students with hands on learning opportunities through Supervised Agriculture Experiences, Youth Apprenticeship Programs, and COOPs.

Much of the success that Schultz has found can be attributed to her teaching philosophy that focuses on hands on experiences that the students will apply in their life. Also the partnerships she has formed with the FFA Alumni, community groups and businesses have given her the support she needs to continue to have a strong program.

WAAE is the professional association for agricultural educators in Wisconsin. Members include 295 middle school, high school, technical college and university educators. The focus of the association is to provide professional development, legislative support and educational resources for teachers to enhance their local agriculture education programs.

For more information about your local agriculture education program and to find out how you can support agriculture in your community, please contact your local agriculture education instructor or call WAAE at www.waae.com.

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