Ag FFA Programs

District Enrollment

• There are over 1,600 students District wide involved in Agriculture Career Pathways / FFA programs.
• Every student enrolled in an Ag class must be registered as a national member of the FFA.
• UC approved classes offered:
  • Ag Science
  • Animal Science
  • Ag Mechanics / Welding
  • Wood Shop
  • Ornamental Horticulture / Floral
• Students have earned the State FFA Degree as well as the American FFA Degree.

History

• The first Ag program was at Manteca High School and started in 1922, and by 1928 there were a total of 4 Ag teachers.
• The farm was sold to the District for $1.00 by a farmer in 1962, so that the students of MUSD would have a location to pursue their SAE (supervised agriculture experience) projects.
• The current farm area is about 55 acres and houses almonds, barns, shop, and pastures.
• The first Co-Op was started in 1997 as a partnership between the Montadale Sheelp Association and MUSD. 
  • This tie allowed MUSD to qualify for more money under th Prop 1D Grant. The grant paid for the new portion of the farm (2008), and the T wing (2011) at Lathop High School to be built.

District Co-Ops

• There are currently 3 Co-Ops still in operation.
  • Sheep / Goats: 70 or more students annually
  • Rabbits: 35 or more students annually
  • Bees: 20 or more bees annually
• Since the Co-Ops began, they have doubled the amount of students qualified to receive top awards in FFA. The top 2 degrees are the State Degree, and the American Degree.

Today

• There are at least 150 animal projects from MUSD that appear each year at the San Joaquin Fair
  • Only 4-10 students are able to keep their animals at home.
    • The rest of the 110-130 students keep their animals at the farm.
  • These projects are financed by the students. The money that is made from the projects is the students' payment.
  • Many students use the extra profit to help pay for college or supplies for school