Overview
The National Council for Agricultural Education (The Council) serves School-based agricultural education. Since its beginning in December 1983, The Council has provided leadership for stakeholders in agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems education.
The Council identifies important opportunities and needed resources for agricultural education and drives action to support the development and direction focusing on academic and career success for all students.
The Council fosters collaboration for agricultural education and represents National Team Ag Ed (organizations and entities representing students, teachers, teacher educators, state leaders, alumni, industry, state and national foundation and government).
The Council promotes success for students and teachers who participate in school-based agricultural education programs offered in secondary, post-secondary and adult education throughout the 50 states and three U.S. territories.
National Council for Agricultural Education Bylaws
Vision & Strategy
Vision
The Council creates an intentional direction for the Agricultural Education Model by:
- Connecting Leaders
- Fostering Collaboration
- Driving Action
Mission
The Council leads the future of school-based agricultural education by:
- Identifying opportunities and resources
- Providing a forum for though and direction
- Focusing on academic and career success for all students
Structure
During the early 1980’s, it became apparent that a mechanism was needed through which the various stakeholders could coordinate in developing strategies to guide the agricultural education community into the 21st century. Out of this need, The Council was formed.
The Council provides a place for National leaders of agricultural education to meet, plan, and initiate action for the continuous improvement of agriculture, food and natural resource systems education.
The board of directors is made up of the officers of Agricultural Education Organizations and specific audience representatives.
- Agricultural Education Division of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE)
- American Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE)
- National Association of Supervisors of Agricultural Education (NASAE)
- National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE)
- A member of the National FFA Board of Directors
- An adult-level instructor recommended by the National Farm & Ranch Business Management Education Association (NFRBMEA)
- A two-year postsecondary level instructor recommended by the Vice President of the ACTE Agricultural Education Division
- An agricultural industry representative selected by the Council
- A representative of a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) agriculture teacher educator program or college of agriculture
- A representative of Minority in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS)
- National Director for Agricultural Education – ex-officio director
- The National FFA Executive Secretary – ex-officio director
- The CEO of the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) – ex-officio director
- The CEO of National FFA – ex-officio director
- The President of the National FFA Foundation – ex-officio director
- The National Postsecondary Agricultural Student Organization (PAS)
Strategic Priorities for 2021-2025
Recruit, prepare, retain and support agricultural educators
- Recruit and retain future agricultural educators at all levels, middle school through university.
- Prepare and support lateral entry and beginning agricultural educators.
- Develop models of preparation and licensure of agricultural educators, including necessary coursework, experience and collaboration/ alignment among teacher preparation programs.
- Develop leaders among agricultural educators at all levels across Agricultural Education Related Organizations (AERO).
Include all people and leverage diverse approaches
- Measure the presence and impact of current agriculture teachers from diverse backgrounds and learn from them.
- Recruit and retain teachers from diverse backgrounds and enable successful transitions from college to the classroom.
- Develop educational models and curricula that appeal to suburban/urban students.
- Elevate and emphasize inclusion, diversity and equity of agricultural education programs, students, teachers and professionals.
Engage and transition students to be leaders and advocates in/for Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) and related industries
- Reinforce and improve work-based learning.
- Develop industry-valued and industry-validated certifications and credentials for students.
- Enhance agricultural education’s contribution to AFNR systems.
- Enhance agricultural education’s contribution to school academics, community service and leadership.
Develop collaborations within and beyond our agricultural education community
- Increase communication and collaboration among AERO groups to move agricultural education forward.
- Provide leadership for agricultural education.
- Gather metrics and publicize information that measures the success, value and importance of agricultural education.
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Contact Us
6060 FFA Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46278-1370
317-802-4206
nationalcouncilaged@ffa.org