Kingston High School Agriculture
Location: Kingston, Ark.
Teacher: Cheryl Myers
Curriculum: “Our school is located in Madison County, Ark., but is organizationally associated with the Jasper School District in Newton County, Ark. My curriculum covers animal science, as well as agricultural structures and technologies programs of study. The advantage of having only two programs of study is having two courses per year I select according to student interests such as floriculture and food science, which students enjoy. My summer responsibilities include visiting students’ SAE projects, taking students to FFA camps and attending teacher in-services. This year I will attend a new 40-hour program with Workforce Development to learn what employers want non-college graduate employees to know before they go to work.
The Changing Future: “Interest in large animals is declining because students who live on a farm usually live on their grandparents’ farm with both parents work long hours off the farm. Large animals can be dangerous and expensive while small animals spark high interest, especially chickens, rabbits, goats and sheep. I try to adapt my curriculum to changing community and educational needs.
Personal History: “I was raised on a cow and horse ranch, taking over the operation at 16 when my father passed away. Because high school girls were not allowed in the agriculture program, I struggled to obtain education to help with the ranch’s operation. When graduation approached, the University of Arkansas would not accept me into any agriculture department because female interns were too difficult to place. The closest affordable junior-college program open to girls was a two-year agri-science program in Rexburg, Idaho, where I received my associate degree in animal science. After graduating, I came home, married and raised seven children. Then, 30 years later, I completed my agricultural education degree at the U of A, graduating with honors. I now teach at a single teacher program at Kingston High School and operate my family’s ranch.”
