Photo Provided Buckeye Local High School has established an agriculture education program and has 21 students learning about the land, including animals, food and natural resources. An FFA chapter has also been formed and officers include, pictured from left, Addie Irwin, president; Maddie Krzys, secretary; Lexi Hughes, treasurer; Keira Panepucci, reporter; Colin Lindsay, sentinel; and Zoey Ralston, historian. Not pictured is vice president Lexie Leach.

CONNORVILLE — Buckeye Local students will learn about the land with the addition of agriculture education and FFA programs at the high school.

Cameron Best joined this year as the school’s new Ag education teacher and said students have another option in their curriculum.

“This is brand new and it’s something [the district] has tried to implement for years,” said Best. “We have 21 students in four classes: ag, food and natural resources; animal projects; science and technology of food; and ag business.”

Students have also been visited by Erika Lyon of the Jefferson County OSU Extension Office and attended a field trip to United Dairy, while more activities are eyed for the near future.

“Erika is returning in the spring with a water table workshop and we’re planning a field trip to Griffith Dairy in Adena,” he added. “We’re in the process of forming a business advisory council with individuals from related fields. We’ll meet once or twice a year to discuss our curriculum and field trips.”

Officials are also seeking grant funds to obtain a green house which would accommodate up to 20 students.

“It would give students hands-on experience and can also be used for common core classes,” Best continued.

He recently received a $700 Best Practice Grant from the Jefferson County Educational Service Center to create a hybrid corn plot that students will manage. The purpose is to plant the corn on less than an acre of land on the school campus and record data which will ultimately be shared with local farmers to aid their operations.

“We also plan to incubate and hatch chickens and keep them on the school property,” Best added. “The students will learn about taking care of poultry.”

In addition, the school received its charter to form an FFA chapter with Best serving as advisor. A chapter has been established with seniors Addie Erwin and Lexie Leach as president and vice president, respectively, as well as sophomore Maddie Krzys as secretary, sophomore Lexi Hughes as treasurer, senior Keira Panepucci as reporter, freshman Colin Lindsay as sentinel and sophomore Zoey Ralston as historian. Best said the group plans to compete in FFA contests and events and he was eager to see the programs get underway.

“I’m excited. I wish we had this when I was at school here,” he said. “We have a variety of students already in 4-H who would benefit from the program, and they are good kids.”