Inspired by his father and former ag teachers, Josh Baker knew he wanted a career in agriculture. The Baxter County native decided to go to college and major in ag education. Completing his Bachelor of Science degree at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia in 2003, Josh applied for a teaching position at Mountain Home High School, his alma mater. It was an exciting opportunity for Josh because he would be working with one of the ag instructors who had been his inspiration. Josh said, “I had two great ag teachers. One was Jacquie Albright – she’s still a teacher here in our junior high – and Roger Steele, my other ag teacher. He’s now retired. I actually taught with him the first two years. He got me started and then retired two years later.”
Josh teaches animal science, agriculture business and leadership and is the FFA advisor. Add that to shop courses taught by his colleague Richard Grissum, and Mountain Home High School has a tremendous ag program. Approximately 200 students are enrolled in various ag classes. The success of the program is also helped by a high level of community support.
Josh said, “We’ve got great support at our level here. If we don’t have something that we need, we go out into the community. We work for it. We have an annual fish fry dinner and auction, our biggest fundraiser. Items for the auction are built in the shop by our students, and we also accept donations from the community.”
Their program is successful and has won many competitions on the district and state levels. The Mountain Home Ag Department was one of the first in the state to have an FFA building and property attached to the school. It allows more students to be involved in judging and showing animals. Students who don’t live on a farm can even have an animal of their own at the adjoining FFA property. The ag program is constantly growing. Although students are required to take core classes in order to be a “completer” in that program of study, they’re always adding more options and electives. Since Josh has been there, two of the courses that have been added are forestry and natural resources. Josh said, “The kids are interested in the programs that we have. We’re continuously developing new programs they can become involved in and changing them.”
Josh is proud of Mountain Home High School’s ag program and would like to see more ag programs added in other schools across the state because, “I think it’s that important.” To keep his hand in agriculture and stay current, Josh keeps a cow/calf herd on his 40-acre farm. With 20 to 25 mommas and a herd of mixed cattle, there are always animals that the students can practice on.
Josh credits his love of agriculture and the rural lifestyle to his dad, Dennis Baker, and a farming family who has lived in the area for five generations. He said, “My dad’s always been involved in agriculture and has always been my mentor.” Josh added, “I was raised on a cattle and poultry farm. My dad still has a poultry farm but I’m an ag teacher full time. The farming part is my second job, my hobby, my past time and what I do for fun. I enjoy it, but I’m an ag teacher full time. I spend most of my time here working with students. I teach during the school day, and on weekends we’re going to cattle shows or judging contests, so that’s definitely a full-time job.”
Between school, being the FFA advisor, taking students to shows and competitions and raising a young family, Josh is a busy man. He said he loves his work and hopes he makes those who inspired him proud.
Josh, the one who always wanted to be involved in agriculture, has found the ideal mix. He said, “I really enjoy getting to work with kids, plus I still get to farm on the side. It’s a perfect fit for me.”
