FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
After 50 Years – Agricultural Education is Back in Indee Press Release
After 50 Years – Agricultural Education is Back in Indee
January 31, 2013 (Independence, IA) – After a 50 year absence, Agricultural Education will now be back in
Independence Community School District classrooms. “As a rural farming community, it is imperative to recognize
the importance of agriculture in our daily lives and to educate future generations,” said Superintendent Jean
Peterson. “For this reason and many others, the Independence Community School District Board of Education
recently approved curriculum for an Agricultural Education Program.”
ICSD has not had an Agricultural Education (previously known as Vocational Agriculture) program and FFA Chapter
since 1963. When the instructor at the time passed away, a replacement instructor was not hired despite the
District’s strong ties to agriculture. The new program will officially begin this fall during the 2013‐2014 academic
year and the district is actively searching for a program instructor.
The District owns 92 acres of land on the western edge of Independence. Approximately 40 acres is being
developed for the new JR / SR High School campus. The Agricultural Education Program fields will be located on
the East side of the new building providing easy access from the classroom to the field and adjacent greenhouse.
The Agricultural Education Program will be somewhat unique in how it is funded. “It is our goal to make this a selffunded
program, which means the District would be provided funds for operations,” said Scott Frye, program
volunteer. Program supporters have built relationships with area farmers and agriculture product suppliers who
have already pledged to donate seed, fertilizer, equipment and labor to plant and harvest the crops. Indee
Agricultural Education, Inc., a non‐profit corporation, will farm the District’s remaining 50acres of land. All
revenues will be deposited and held by the Mustang Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) entity that supports District
initiatives. These revenues will be given to the District to help pay for the program.
The District leased the farm land in 2012 to get a one‐year
jump start on funding. Supporters donated the 2012 year
rent, the inputs and the labor. All profits from the 2012
crop’s harvest have been rolled over to 2013 to pay for
the 2013 rent. When the program starts this fall, the
Mustang Foundation, Inc. plans to advance funds to the
District to cover the expenses of the program, such as the
instructor and supplies.
The District is now searching for an instructor for this new
program, and is looking forward to filling this position in
the near future. “This is a great opportunity for anyone
interested in building the program from the ground up in
a brand new facility”, said Board President Brian Eddy.
“We have a phenomenal facility set to open in August
2013, and our community has shown the past year the
vast support that exists for Agricultural Education at the
Independence Community School District”.
If you have questions regarding the Independence Community School District Agricultural Education Program,
please contact Superintendent Jean Peterson at jpeterson@independence.k12.ia.us or (319) 334‐7400 or follow
Indee Ag Ed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IndeeAgEd.
http://www.independence.k12.ia.us/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Open-Positions-for-Website-01-29-2013.pdf
