#LEAD2BigSky Day 3

We started the day by visiting the H. E. Robinson Agricultural Education center in Kalispell, Montana. At this school, which is located in a more urban setting, students are able to house SAE projects as well as help to run the 135 acre farm. Students complete coursework and projects in areas such as livestock, cereal grains, horticulture, small gas engines, leadership development, vet science and ag business. Mr. Heupel, an Ag teacher at the center, showed us around and gave us some helpful advice as we continue our journey to become Agriculture Teachers. In addition to getting a tour of their incredible facilities we were given the opportunity to teach five short workshops including, food science, leadership, parliamentary procedure, PA wildlife, and PSU AgEd.

"Agriculture doesn't end at farming, it's where it begins" ~ Mr. Heupel

Our second stop of the day was to Glacier National Park. All we can say is WOW!!! Due to the higher elevation most of the road was still snow covered so we were only able to travel 16 miles in. However, those 16 miles were amazing. The wildlife, mountains, waterfalls and lake were gorgeous. We cannot wait until we can come back again!

Finally, we traveled two hours to Shelby, Montana. After a delicious hamburger community fundraiser supporting the local baseball team, we headed to Shelby High School for a tour. Headed by a PSU graduate, the things Shelby High School are doing are fantastic! Students from the agriculture program gave tours, which included an aquaponics system. This was the first of its kind we saw in Montana. The school is accomplishing great things for both the students and surrounding community.

After today's adventures, it is very evident that schools in Montana put their students and community first. As agriculture educators, it is easy to get caught up in FFA activities, but we should work to help motivate students in agriculture education first. Montana has truly blown us away and we cannot wait to see what is in store the next few days!