By: Sarah Chase

As education is the hot topic this week in the UK, I’ve found myself drawn into a number of public discussions regarding my viewpoint “as an American” about the UK’s academic institutions.  Whilst the majority of my comments have been, at best, observational … I would like to offer one recommendation.  

The UK needs Agricultural Education.  

The integration of agricultural education into the classroom is vital for the long-term success, viability and economic sustainability of the UK.  Whilst the US has it’s own issues regarding educational funding (and we won’t even delve into higher education) … the US does provide for the study of Agricultural Education in the public school system.  Supported by the National FFA and Teach Ag (more info), “Ag-Ed” classes promote understanding about agribusiness, farming, horticulture, veterinary medicine, aquaculture, forestry and a multitude of other ag/farm and rural-related industries. 

These widely available, publicly supported curriculums, teach the necessary skills, both old and new, that keep these vital industries moving steadily forward, with an ever-growing, highly-skilled, highly-educated and motivated work force.  In the US, agricultural education has effectively made these career choices  appealing and profitable. Moreover, these industries are now understood to be necessary for the long-term sustainability of the nation. 

The National FFA, working in complementary support of the state agricultural curriculums, helps to instil pride in each successive generation, to break down public misconceptions about the agricultural industries and to fend off the utterly asinine stereotypes about the intellectual capabilities of farmers or those in the rural world – just the sort of success-destroying stereotypes that plague the UK’s rural communities and threaten the economic viability of one of the largest, untapped labour markets. 

There will always be jobs in agriculture as it’s a perpetually sustaining industry … after all, no farms = no food. 

Strong associations like the National FFA, help to keep the agricultural lifestyle mainstream, appealing and desirable.  Ag-Ed programmes serve as an important venue for students and stakeholders to address some of the most complex and urgent problems facing society.

If Ag-Ed programmes were to be launched in the UK, such a transformation in the school systems could reestablish and sustain the historical position of agriculture as a cornerstone industry and revive it’s appeal in the media, academia and the so-called “urban” environments.  For this to occur, a rapid and concerted effort by the UK’s leaders is needed in order to shape the academic focus around the reality of issues that define the world's systems of food and agriculture and to refashion the way in which they foster knowledge of these complex systems in the heart of the nation.

Although there is no single approach to initiating agricultural education in the UK’s classroom, a commitment to such a change is imperative.  I, for one, believe firmly enough in the future of Agricultural Education that I’m going to keep working hard to put words into action … anyone in the UK care to join me?