Morgan Corday is contributing to the growth of the FFA organization as a middle school agriculture instructor in the #Agri-Ready Dallas County R-1 School District in Buffalo, Dallas County.
After growing up on his family's farm in the Ozarks, Corday pursued a career in agricultural education. There, her beef production was carried out as her own FFA supervised farming experience under the guidance of her father Stan, who was also her FFA advisor. These days, her influence extends beyond just teaching her 7th graders and her 8th graders basic farming concepts while giving them a taste of her FFA. She creates an environment that encourages young people to begin connecting to their roles as future consumers.
“Middle school programs help get kids into agriculture,” Koday said. “Many kids have preconceived notions about agriculture, so I share how and why agriculture has evolved. We share with our students why agriculture is not only important, but essential. At their level, we learn how economic growth begins on local farms, and how local grocery stores Even if they don't fully understand the importance of agriculture in the moment I have to teach them, hopefully the concept sticks. , we hope it will influence them as consumers.”
Coday grew up on his family's farm in Webster County, where he raised Simmental beef cattle and displayed them at fairs in the summer. Farming has been a constant throughout her life. She served as a Missouri FFA officer during her high school years from 2013 to 2014. She started taking college classes to become a veterinarian, but enjoyed her agriculture class so much that she decided to try an education class.
She began her teaching career seven years ago. She became an #Agri-Ready designated Mississippi State and Scott County high school program as her FFA advisor and agriculture instructor until a unique opportunity near her home in southwest Missouri piqued her interest. I was in charge of Mr. Corday accepted a full-time position teaching agriculture in the Dallas County R-1 School District in 2021. Her challenge was to increase student interest in agriculture in order to foster the growth of her FFA chapter at the school. After three years of investment, she is excited about the fruits of her labor.
The Dallas County R-1 Middle School Agriculture Program has 120 students and has seen a 50% increase in enrollment since its inception. The Buffalo FFA Chapter saw increased involvement from this year's freshman members who attended Corday's class. She teaches electives to her 7th graders and her 8th graders, including Agriculture I Animal Science, Agriculture II Fundamentals of Soil and Plant Science, and Conservation, which provides a foundation for deeper learning in high school.
Last year, Corday started an FFA “program” for middle school students. Although middle school students are not eligible to join her FFA chapter, she facilitates activities with the children that reflect the opportunities they can expect if they choose to remain involved in agricultural education. . Her students plan their own small barn warming parties, participate in local Christmas parades, and plan community service projects.
“I hope to grow this FFA program by identifying and planning new activities that will allow students to learn more about agriculture,” Corday said. “In the meantime, I would like to go back to school and get a master’s degree or professional certification and continue to educate myself.”
Mr. Corday is a member of the Missouri Farm Bureau and the Missouri Professional Agriculture Teachers Association, both of which are partners in Missouri Farmers Care.
This article originally appeared in Springfield News – Reader: Dallas County middle school teacher focuses on agricultural education
