NEWS

By Kylie Anderson, Michigan FFA Foundation Contractor

For Renee Schweitzer, the opportunity to help grow agricultural education in Sparta feels like coming home.

A former member of the Ogemaw Heights FFA chapter, Schweitzer discovered her passion for agriculture and education through FFA. After earning degrees in Agriscience Education and Animal Science from Michigan State University, she continued her education by earning a master's degree in Teaching and Curriculum from Michigan State University and a doctorate in Career and Technical Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She spent the past 14 years building and growing the agricultural education program at the Newaygo County Career-Tech Center.

During her time there, Schweitzer helped grow the program from the ground up. During her tenure, the program expanded facilities, added additional instructional support and created new opportunities for students interested in agriculture.

Today, Schweitzer is bringing that experience to Sparta, a place she and her family have called home for the past 11 years. Her husband, Nick, is a Sparta native whose family has been growing apples in the community for five generations, giving the family a deep connection to the area and its agricultural roots.

"I've lived in Sparta for 11 years, and my boys go to school here," Schweitzer said. "It's exciting to help build a chapter and a program in the community where we live and where my kids will one day have the opportunity to participate."

The Sparta agricultural education and FFA program is still in its early stages, but momentum is building. Science teacher Kerry McKinley helped lay the groundwork by launching agricultural education courses and restarting the chapter, and this year Schweitzer joined the program to help continue its growth.

As she has once before, Schweitzer is helping build something new. While that comes with challenges, including recruiting students and developing facilities, it also creates opportunities to shape the program around the needs of students and the community.

Support from school administrators and local community members has been a key part of that growth. The program recently received funding for a hoop house project, creating additional hands-on learning opportunities for students.

Student interest continues to grow as well. This year, Sparta FFA members are participating in chapter activities, exploring careers in agriculture and preparing to compete in Leadership and Career Development Events. Schweitzer is especially excited to introduce students to opportunities that were important to her own FFA experience, including Parliamentary Procedure competitions.

One of the things she is most looking forward to is working with students throughout all four years of high school.

"At a career center, you often only have students for two years," she explained. "When you have students for four years, you have more opportunities to help develop leadership skills, build confidence and watch them grow."

As the program continues to expand, Schweitzer remains focused on creating opportunities for students to discover agriculture, develop leadership skills and find their place within FFA. The growth taking place in Sparta reflects the impact agricultural education can have when schools, communities and educators work together to invest in students and their future.