Penn Manor High School is hosting Beyond the Blue Jacket, one of three events across Pennsylvania showcasing agricultural education, beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11.
The event will showcase how school-based agricultural education programs foster career success by preparing students for high-demand agriculture, food and natural resources-based careers in Pennsylvania.
Beyond the Blue Jacket will include an overview and tour of the school’s award-winning agricultural education programs and facilities, a focus group discussion for agriculture educators and a meeting with attendees representing regional companies in the agriculture and food industries.
Pedro Rivera, Pennsylvania Education Secretary, will deliver the keynote address, “Connecting Agricultural Education to Jobs that Pay, Schools that Teach, and Government that Works.”
Penn Manor’s agricultural education program was named the best in the state in 2014 and currently enrolls more than 250 students in classes ranging from food and natural resources, floriculture and veterinary science to biotechnology and agriculture business. Students enrolled in the program are members of Manor FFA and wear the organization’s trademark blue blazers – the inspiration for the Beyond the Blue Jacket name.
Beyond the Blue Jacket is being held in recognition of February as National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. The events are sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators in partnership with the Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture, Education and Community and Economic Development.
Below is a slideshow of Penn Manor ag students engaged in hands-on learning:
Click to view slideshow.