Katy ISD’s Agricultural Sciences Program Prepares Students for Future Careers with Hands-On Learning
Katy ISD’s Agricultural Sciences program offers students an extensive range of hands-on learning opportunities, preparing them for careers in a variety of fields within the agricultural industry. Through the Gerald D. Young Agricultural Sciences Center, the district provides students with a unique facility designed to support and enhance their agricultural education while fostering leadership, personal growth, and career success.
Located at 5801 Katy Hockley Cut Off Rd, the Gerald D. Young Agricultural Sciences Center serves as the central hub for the district’s agricultural science education. Spanning 125 acres, the center is a state-of-the-art facility equipped with a variety of spaces that enable students to gain real-world experience in multiple areas of agriculture.
A Hands-On, Comprehensive Learning Environment
The Gerald D. Young Agricultural Sciences Center offers a range of resources to help students explore the many facets of agriculture. Among the standout features are:
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School barns and livestock areas, where students can raise and care for animals as part of their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects.
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The L.D. Robinson Pavilion, a venue for the district's FFA Progress and Livestock Shows, offering space for up to 2,500 spectators to view students' livestock and agricultural projects.
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The W.E. “Billy” Morgan Rodeo Arena, a large, covered arena that can seat up to 5,000 spectators, providing a venue for rodeos and other community events.
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The eco-pond, where students can study Fisheries and Wildlife Management in a real-world setting, gaining hands-on experience in environmental science.
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Classrooms and labs housed within the Project Center, where students can engage in agricultural experiments, project development, and further education in agriscience and related fields.
These spaces allow for in-depth, experiential learning that complements classroom instruction, preparing students for future careers in agriculture, business, environmental science, and many other related fields.
FFA: Building Leadership and Skills for the Future
The Future Farmers of America (FFA) program at Katy ISD is central to the district’s agricultural education efforts. FFA is a student-led organization that helps young people develop leadership skills and personal growth while exploring careers in agriculture.
While the organization is historically associated with farming, the FFA program at Katy ISD goes far beyond traditional farming and ranching. FFA members study a wide range of disciplines, including horticulture, aquaculture, food science, mechanical engineering, business management, and wildlife management, preparing them for careers in a variety of industries.
Students in the program participate in Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects, where they apply what they’ve learned in the classroom through hands-on, independent work. Projects range from raising livestock and growing crops to participating in internships, working in agricultural businesses, and conducting research in areas such as environmental science and agricultural technology. These experiences provide invaluable skills and knowledge that students can carry with them into their future careers.
Connecting Students with the Community
The Gerald D. Young Agricultural Sciences Center also serves as a hub for community engagement. Students are encouraged to participate in events like the annual FFA Progress and Livestock Shows and the district’s farmers market, where they can sell the crops they grow and learn about agricultural economics. This real-world application helps students better understand the broader agricultural industry while building connections with their local community.
Large murals and displays throughout the center honor the 75-year history of agricultural education in Katy ISD, providing students with a sense of pride and tradition as they engage with the facility’s many resources. From interactive exhibits to the Project Center's labs and classrooms, the center offers a dynamic space for students to grow academically, socially, and professionally.
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Preparing Students for a Wide Range of Agricultural Careers
The agricultural industry is vast, with over 22 million people working in agriculture-related jobs in the United States alone. Opportunities in agriculture go far beyond farming, with career paths in fields like veterinary science, food processing, marketing, landscaping, mechanical engineering, and environmental science.
The goal of the Katy ISD Agricultural Sciences Program is to expose students to these diverse career opportunities and provide them with the skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing industry. By giving students hands-on experience, strong leadership development, and academic training in a variety of agricultural disciplines, Katy ISD is helping to ensure they are prepared for the workforce and future career success.
How to Get Involved
Students who are interested in joining the FFA program at Katy ISD simply need to enroll in an agricultural science class. FFA activities are integrated into the curriculum, and students are required to complete a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) project as part of their education. This ensures that every student has the opportunity to gain practical, real-world experience in agricultural work, whether through internships, livestock projects, or other agricultural ventures.
Learn more about the Gerald D. Young Agricultural Sciences Center here.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
