ABOUT THE COUNCIL

What's New?

Council Annual Report 2005

A full report of 2005 Council accomplishments is in the linked file above. Highlights for 2005 included:

  • aggressive implementation of the 2004-06 Council strategic plan
  • distribution of the first annual status report on agricultural education in the United States
  • identification of major issues and trends affecting agricultural education
  • analysis of agricultural education with National FFA staff in a special joint session
  • financial support for the development of a national research agenda
  • commission of four white papers on critical issues in agricultural education
  • exploration of innovative delivery models
  • development and distribution of a Council brochure
  • maintenance and update of the Council website
  • development of a strategy for enhancing the use of research results by practitioners
  • formation of a research workgroup on written and oral communication
  • partnership with the National FFA Foundation in developing high priority curricula
  • exploration of the concept of a central electronic source for the delivery of curricula
  • endorsement of the Ag Energy Group's 25 X 25 vision for agricultural energy sources
  • preliminary development of National Quality Indicators for Agricultural Education Programs
  • preliminary work on National Curriculum Standards for Secondary Agricultural Education
  • endorsement of the goal of 10,000 quality agricultural education programs by the year 2015
  • liaison for the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster
  • collaboration with National FFA and NAAE to distribute funds to hurricane victims
  • appointment of a National Council Advocacy Task Force
  • support of efforts to identify agricultural education advocacy teams in each state
  • business education partnerships with NAAE and ACTE to support advocacy
  • contract with Rhea and Kaiser Communications on an agricultural education marketing plan
  • revision of the Council bylaws to allow for consultants to lead special Council initiatives.

Thanks to the strong support of the Council by its member organizations, the financial standing of the Council is sound. In 2006 the Council anticipates continued aggressive study of the major challenges facing agricultural education, as well as the engagement of leaders and stakeholders across the nation in discovering innovative solutions that have the potential to advance agricultural education at all levels. The 2006 Council Executive Committee includes the following board members: Brad Schloesser (President) - South Central College, Mankato, MN; Steve Brown (Vice President), Missouri Department of Education; Jeff Maierhofer - Seneca High School, Seneca, IL; Bill Camp, Cornell University; and Norman Gay - Perry, GA.

Contact Us

National Council for Agricultural Education

1410 King Street, Suite 400
Alexandria, VA 22314
Direct Phone: (703) 838-5889
Ag Ed Headquarters Toll Free: (800) 772-0939
FAX: (703) 838-5888

Dr. Steve Brown, Executive Secretary
(703) 838-5882

Overview

 The National Council for Agricultural Education (The Council) strives to stimulate positive growth in agricultural education.  Since its beginning in December 1983, The Council has provided leadership for stakeholders in agriculture, food, fiber and natural resources systems education.

It strives to surface issues important to agricultural education and stimulate actions to support those issues.

The Council serves as a common meeting ground for agricultural education and represents organizations and entities representing students, teachers, teacher educators, state leaders, alumni, industry, and government.

The Council promotes success for students and teachers who participate in the formal agricultural education instructional programs offered in grades seven through adult throughout the 50 states and three U.S. territories.

Vision

 The National Council for Agricultural Education will be the premier leadership organization for shaping and strengthening school- based agricultural education (SBAE).

Mission

The mission of The Council is to provide leadership and coordination to shape the future of school-based agricultural education. Relative to school-based agricultural education, The Council will:

  • Proactively identify current and emerging issues of national concern,
  • Provide innovative solutions in response to current and emerging issues,
  • Coordinate the efforts of appropriate entities in strengthening programs, and
  • Serve as a national advocate for school-based agricultural education.

Structure

During the early 1980's, it became apparent that a mechanism was needed through which the various stakeholders could coordinate in developing strategies to guide the agricultural education community into the 21st century. Out of this need, The Council was formed.

The Council provides a place for National leaders of agricultural education meet, plan, develop policy, and initiate action for the continuous improvement of agriculture, food and natural resource systems education.

The board of directors is made up of the officers of Agricultural Education Organizations and specific audience representatives.

Officers from the following organizations are on the Council board of directors:

  • Agricultural Education Division of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE)
  • American Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE)
  • National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE)
  • National Association of Supervisors of Agricultural Education (NASAE)

Specific audience representatives on the board include:

  • A representative of production agriculture recommended by the National Young Farmer Educational Association (NYFEA).
  • An adult representing secondary students in agriculture recommended by the National FFA Board of Directors.
  • An adult representing postsecondary students in agriculture recommended by the National Postsecondary Agricultural Student Organization (PAS).
  • An Alumni representative recommended by the National FFA Alumni Association.
  • An agribusiness representative recommended by the National FFA Foundation Sponsors’ Board
  • An adult level instructor recommended by the President of the National Farm and Ranch Business Management Education Association (NFRBMEA)
  • A two-year postsecondary level instructor recommended by the President of the ACTE Agricultural Education Division.
  • A representative of AgrowKnowledge recommended by the AgrowKnowledge Center

See Agricultural Education Organizations.

Information

The Council publishes a weekly electronic newsletter entitled the Monday Morning Monitor which is published every Monday with the exception of Federal holidays. 

Click here for The National Council for Agricultural Education Bylaws (updated January 2007). (pdf)

Supporting the Council

 The Council receives support through contributions from the organizations represented on its board of directors and from individuals who give voluntarily.  Many teachers through their state teachers associations make a voluntary contribution of $2.00 when they pay their professional association membership dues.  All contributions are used to support The Council's programs and activities that contribute to student and teacher success.  National FFA Foundation is matching dollar for dollar (up to $25,000) all investments above $20,000 total made by individuals and the professional organizations (NAAE, AAAE, NASAE and the National FFA Alumni).

Headquarters

 The Council provides leadership for developing and implementing the vision, mission, goals, national policies, and programs for agricultural education. Programs and activities are directed by the staff of the Agricultural Education National Headquarters. The headquarters office is located at 1410 King Street, Suite 400, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.

Media Contact

 Dr. Steve Brown, sbrown@ffa.org
Executive Secretary, (703) 838-5882

Web Inquiries

 If you have any questions or comments about this site, please email Megan Merrill at megan.merrill@springportschools.net