FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Anthony Puglisi

March 31, 2011 973-621-2542

Lauren Shears

973-621-1590

ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO JOINS WITH

NJ AGRICULTURAL SECRETARY FISHER TO CELEBRATE

NATIONAL TEACH AGRICULTURE DAY

Program at Essex County West Caldwell Tech Campus Recognizes Agricultural Science Teachers and Encourages Students to Enter Agricultural Careers

West Caldwell, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and the Essex County Vocational Technical School District welcomed NJ Agriculture Secretary Douglas H. Fisher to the Essex County West Caldwell Tech Campus on Thursday, March 31st. Fisher visited the school to host the State’s commemoration of Teach Agriculture Day and to promote agricultural sciences as a career path for students.

“ Opportunities for a career in Agricultural Science will expand as more and more emphasis is placed on environmental preservation and sustainability. Combining the traditional classroom setting with a ‘get your hands dirty’ approach in the greenhouse and garden provides our students with real-life experience and head start on a career,” DiVincenzo said. “We are pleased to welcome Secretary Fisher and Commissioner Cerf, and are proud to have our Essex County Vocational Technical School District used as a model for Agricultural Sciences education,” he added.

“It’s important to have well-trained teachers who will supply us with the personnel who are ready to take jobs in our state’s high-tech, fast-paced agriculture industry,” Fisher said. “There currently is a shortage of agriculture teachers, so we want students getting ready to choose their career paths to know that agricultural education is not only a rewarding field to go into, but one that is in need of motivated individuals,” he added.

During the event, Fisher presented a proclamation from Governor Chris Christie proclaiming March 31 st as Teach Ag Day in New Jersey.

“Career and technical education is critical to our nation’s economic success,” said Marie Barry, State Director for the Office of Career and Technical Education in the NJ Department of Education. “CTE programs, such as those that deal with agriculture, prepare individuals for a wide range of careers to help meet the demands of a global economy,” she noted.

Essex County Vocational Technical School District’s West Caldwell Campus offers students Introduction to Agriculture, Foods and National Resource, the first course in the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE), an instructional system that provides intense teacher professional development and curriculum that is changing the culture of agriculture programs. The CASE Program includes lessons that build on each previous lesson, coupled with inquiry-based lesson delivery style, leading students to a higher understanding of big- picture science, technology, engineering and math concepts. About 75 students are taking the introductory course at the West Caldwell Campus.

“Our mission is to provide students with a strong foundation for their career path and a well-rounded education that helps them succeed professionally and personally. Our revamped curriculum takes our students beyond the basics and prepares them to a broad spectrum of careers in the agriculture science field,” Essex County Vocational Technical Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael A. Pennella said. “Today’s event is great to recognize our teachers in the agriculture science field and raise awareness for our students. It also allows us to highlight the technical assistance the State has provided us in implementing the new curriculum,” he noted.

During the event, agriculture science students conducted water quality tests from samples taken from 13 municipalities in Essex County. As they conducted their tests, their findings were posted for visitors to see. The teacher of the class is Tiffany Morey. Also speaking were Dr. Steve Brown, Program Specialist with the U.S. Department of Education; Robert Goodman, Executive Dean of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University; Dr. Jay Jackman, Executive Director of the National Association of Agricultural Educators; and Nancy Trivette, New Jersey Ag Education Program Leader.

The Essex County Vocational Technical School District is New Jersey's first and one of its largest Vocational Technical School Systems. Created in 1914, the school system provides both occupational and academic instruction for high school and adult students in the Essex County region. The district has four high schools: Bloomfield Tech, Newark Tech, North 13th Street Tech and the West Caldwell Campus. In addition, the system provides adult programs in the evening at Newark Tech, and during the day at its Adult Training Center at 50 South Clinton Street in East Orange. The district has an enrollment of 2,148 students and provides high level state-of-the-art career skill development and academic opportunities in over 25 occupational areas. For more information on Essex County’s Vocational Technical Schools, call 973-412-2069 or visit www.essextech.org.