A Message from MV's Agriculture Instructor

"Welcome to the Agriculture Education Department! I am Alicia Schmidt, Agriculture Education Instructor and FFA Advisor. I came to the MSD of Mount Vernon in the fall of 2014 as the Junior High Agriculture teacher and in the fall of 2016 I transitioned into the role of High School Agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor. I graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor's degree in Agriculture Education - Leadership with a minor in Animal Science and Agriculture Economics. I went on to receive my master's in Agriculture Education - Teaching in the spring 2012. I spent two years teaching at Cole R-1 in Missouri before moving to Mount Vernon.

I have been a huge advocate for agriculture my entire life. I grew up on small beef and grain farm in Missouri and knew from a young age that I wanted to help others appreciate agriculture. When I am not at school or on a FFA trip, I am with my husband, Jared, and our four children. We raise Simmental cattle, Pony of America horses and row crop.

Agriculture is the basis to everyday life, without it we have nothing. I am passionate making sure every person knows how agriculture touches their life daily! I also love to give students the opportunities to learn and grow, FFA helps provide that!"

- Alicia Schmidt, Agriculture Education Instructor and FFA Advisor

Mt. Vernon High School's 4 Agriculture Education Pathways

1. HORTICULTURE

Students are introduced to reproduction, propagation of plants, plant growth, and management practices while applying knowledge gained in the greenhouse for the annual greenhouse sale. Dual credit available from Ivy Tech.

Classes include: Principles of Agriculture, Horticulture Science, and Greenhouse and Soilless Production.
2. VETERINARY SCIENCE

Students will learn the foundational knowledge necessary for a career working with either large or small animals. Students will be provided various lab opportunities.

Classes include: Principles of Veterinary Science, Veterinary Science, and Advance Life Science (Animals).
3. AGRISCIENCE (ANIMAL & PLANT)

Students that choose one of these pathways will be immersed in either animal or plant systems. Students will learn about trends, laws, and practical skills of dealing with plants or animals. Dual credit available from Ivy Tech.

Classes include: Principles of Agriculture, Animal Science or Plant & Soil, and ALS Animal or Plant.
4. AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS & ENGINEERING

In the Agricultural Mechanics pathway, students will develop an understanding of tool selection, operation, and maintenance and management of equipment. Dual credit available from Ivy Tech.

Classes include: Principles of Agriculture, Agriculture Power, Structures, and Technology, and Agriculture Structures Fabrication & Design.

Agriculture Education: A 3 Circle Model

School-based agricultural education contains these three components:

Classroom/Lab Instruction

Most schools with an agricultural education program provide hands-on experiences for their students with:
- Mechanics Laboratories
- Greenhouses
- Aquaculture/Aquaponics Labs
- Land Plots
- Animal Laboratories
Experiential Learning (SAE)

SAEs can consist of:
- Placement/Internship
- Entrepreneurship/Ownership
- Research (Experimental, Analytical, or Invention)
- School-Based Enterprises
- Service Learning
- Exploratory in Nature
Leadership Development (FFA)

Prepares students for:
- Premier Leadership
- Personal Growth
- Career Success

Our Agriculture Program: By the Numbers

We currently have 129 students enrolled in Agriculture classes.
We have 4 complete CTE Pathways: Veterinary Science, Agriculture Mechanical & Engineering, Agricultural Science - Plants and Animals, and Horticulture.
We have 6 Dual Credit courses available for the 2025-2026 school year.
We have approximately 45 FFA members.

Mt. Vernon FFA

FFA stands for Future Farmers of America.

Mount Vernon FFA is a group of students who are focused on Premier Leadership, Personal Growth, & Career Success. MV's FFA participates in many activities including the following:

Career Developments Events
- Livestock Skillathon (Breed Id, Livestock Industry Test, Meat Id, Feed Id), Forestry (Leaf Id, Bark Id, Industry Test, Diseases, Insects)
- Small Engines (Parts Id, Tools Id, Skills, Engine Rebuild (75 minutes), Owners Manual, Basic Knowledge Test)
- Welding (Industry Test, MIG, Stick)
- Livestock Judging (Breeding & Market, Goats, Sheep, Cattle, Swine, Reasons)
- Poultry Judging (Eggs, Product Defect, Live Chicken Judging, Test)
- Horse Judging (Confirmation, riding classes, reasons)
- Milk Quality & Products (Milk defects, Cheese Id, Knowledge Test)
- Crops Judging (Seed Id, Weed Id, Disease, Grain Grading, Industry Test)
- Dairy Judging (Confirmation of dairy cattle, reasons)
Leadership Development Events
- Agriscience Fair (State Winning)
- Prepared Public Speaking, Demonstrations, Essay, Officer interviews, Proficiencies, State Degrees (4 potential applicants)
- American Degrees (4 potential applicants ‘26)
- Next Gen Conferences (3 applicants, 1 Student Engagement grant applicant)
Activities
- Fruit Sales
- Greenhouse Sales
- National FFA Convention
- State Convention
- Leadership Convention with Gibson Southern
- River Days Parade
- Christmas on Mainstreet
- FFA Week
- Drive Your Tractor to School
Community Involvement
- Parking Cars at the Posey County Fair
- Mulching the Courthouse
- Cops 4 Kids
- Adopt kids at Christmas
- Fill Easter Eggs & help Country Mark Easter Egg Hunt
- St. Matthew CCM Mum’s

FFA's Mission: "FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education."

FFA's Vision: "Growing the next generation of leaders who will change the world."

FFA's Motto: "Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve."

This information is from ffa.org.

**PLEASE NOTE: FFA is not just for just for farmers or those who come from farming families—it’s for anyone interested in getting involved and exploring all that FFA has to offer. Whether it’s a CDE (Career Development Event), Floriculture, Veterinary Science, and Dairy Cattle Evaluation, or an LDE (Leadership Development Event), which focuses on public speaking and leadership, every opportunity in FFA helps members grow and build essential life skills that extend beyond the agricultural industry.

student spotlight: attalia wolf

What has FFA taught you?

FFA has taught me that sometimes, you just have to take the leap and see what’s waiting on the other side. This applies to trying new things and taking opportunities because that’s where the real fun and growth happen. If I hadn’t stepped out of my comfort zone and taken chances, I wouldn’t be the FFA member, athlete, or person I am today.

How has being involved in FFA prepared you for the future?

FFA has prepared me for the future in many ways, but the most notable are helping me step out of my comfort zone, develop valuable skills through competitions, and build connections with people across the country. Mrs.Schmidt, my advisor, has and continues to challenge me to grow by encouraging me to run for chapter office, attend national conventions, and participate in contests that test and expand my abilities. Through events like agriscience fair, horse judging, and livestock skill-a-thons, I’ve learned practical skills that apply both in and outside of agriculture. Additionally, FFA has allowed me to connect with members from my own chapter and from across the nation at competitions, expos, and conventions.

What is your favorite memory from FFA?

My favorite part of FFA is the memories I’ve made and continue to make while taking part in all this organzation has to offer. It’s hard to choose just one favorite memory because I’ve had so many great experiences—from competing in events like the Agriscience Fair with one of my best friends, to traveling to the National FFA Convention with my chapter, and taking part in community service projects.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: FFA PRESIDENT LOUIS ALLYN

Louis Allyn is a senior at Mt. Vernon High School and currently serves as the President of FFA.

What has FFA taught you?

"Through FFA, I have learned that advocacy is key to agricultural success."

How has being involved in FFA prepared you for the future?

"As a member of FFA, I have learned valuable skills and also made lifelong connections with people in the industry."

What is your favorite memory from FFA?

"My favorite memory is attending a Next Gen conference in Salt Lake City."

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: THOMAS SCATES

Thomas Scates is a sophomore at Mt. Vernon High School and currently serves at the Treasurer of FFA.

What has FFA taught you? "FFA has taught me leadership, teamwork, and most importantly how to have fun. Mrs. Schmidt is a great FFA advisor and always makes sure we learn at our competitions and that we enjoy them. I don't know what we would do without her."

How has being involved in FFA prepared you for the future? "FFA has prepared me for my future by showing all of the possible agriculture occupations out there. There are so many different routes you can take in agriculture which I think makes it interesting. Next week, we are attending the 98th FFA National Convention and I plan on speaking with agriculture departments from colleges around the state."

What is your favorite part or favorite memory from FFA? "My favorite part of FFA is when we all travel together to a competition or conference. The bus ride there is half the fun and once we get there we get to show what we know about the topic."