Collaboration with Texas universities and the Texas FFA Foundation aims to enhance teacher training and retention in agriculture education
HUNTSVILLE, TX —Sam Houston State University has been awarded a four-year, $750,000 grant from United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to partner with Texas Tech University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and the Texas FFA Foundation. The goal is to equip future agricultural science teachers with tools for classroom success and teacher retention.
SHSU’s School of Agricultural Sciences will collaborate with its partners to provide pre-service teachers in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) with hands-on experiences in professional networking, leadership development and agricultural literacy. This project is based on the Texas FFA Foundation’s LEAD series model, which connects current and future teachers for professional development and best practices in the field.
“This grant allows us to bring proven leadership and educational strategies to the next generation of ag teachers,” said Mark Hainline, project lead and assistant professor of agricultural education at SHSU. “It is an honor for SHSU to serve as the catalyst for connecting our students with the established success of the Texas FFA Foundation’s LEAD series. We’re excited to offer them exposure to best practices, industry leaders and the latest trends in agricultural education.”
The Cultivating LEAD program includes three main components:
- Legislative LEAD Experience: A two-day event covering government and leadership topics.
- Cultivating LEAD Summer Experience: A weeklong program featuring agricultural literacy and leadership development across Texas.
- Online Leadership and Policy Modules: A flexible, online learning platform.
The program’s goal is to enhance leadership skills, agricultural policy understanding and networking for future AFNR teachers. In addition to SHSU, students from Texas Tech, Texas A&M-Kingsville and other universities will be able to participate, space permitting.
With its focus on experiential learning and strong industry partnerships, the Cultivating LEAD program aims to prepare future agricultural educators for long-term career success.
