Agricultural science, taught by Mrs. Michelle ("Shelley") Shurlow, is underway at Gladstone High School for the very first year. Currently an elective, the class gives a group of students education on various elements of agriculture through hands-on experience, guest speakers, field trips, and online learning.
The goal is for the program to ultimately become connected with Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and get approved to be a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. But in order to achieve that status, Shurlow explained, the school must first demonstrate its capacity to successfully conduct the course and prove that there is student interest.
"I've (wanted) the program in our school since freshman year," said student Mason Peltin, now a senior. "My grandparents were horse farmers. …I guess it's something I felt that we could need, would make our school different."
The students have heard from professionals involved with different fields through both in-class talks and off-campus field trips. They have traveled to see aquaponics in operation in Hannahville; checked out North Farm, part of the MSU Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center in Chatham; and been visited monthly by the Delta Conservation District.
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