Agri-Science Representative Visits NMS

By Laurie Borst

Newtown Middle School students had the opportunity to meet with Bill Davenport, the director of the Ellis Clark Regional Agri-Science and Technology Center at Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury on the morning of September 26. Mr Davenport has been with the program for 21 years and has seen it grow over the years.

Nonnewaug is located in Woodbury, part of Connecticut School District Region 14 serving Woodbury and Bethlehem. Students from 26 area towns within commuting distance are eligible to attend the program. Nonnewaug is one of 7,300 vocational-agricultural high schools in the country. It is nationally recognized as one of the top six.

Mr Davenport pointed out that Nonnewaug is a comprehensive high school. This means that students enrolled in the agri-science program also take regular classes in English, history, languages, etc, as well as a concentration in their chosen specialty.

The program has three components: classroom, laboratory, and field instruction with a strong hands-on focus; the Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) gets the student working in their chosen field of study; and participation in the FFA, which builds interpersonal skills.

A number of colleges with related programs grant up to six college credits to students who have attended Nonnewaug’s program.

Agriculture accounts for the largest segment of American industry, one out of every five jobs. This encompasses veterinary science, horticulture, forestry, landscaping, agricultural mechanics, agricultural production, and much more.

The application process has intensified over the years, with 180 applications being received each year for 90 available freshman spots. Applications, with essays and teacher recommendations, are due by December 15. Once applications are received, prospective students are invited to visit the school and shadow a current freshman for the day. An interview is also scheduled with program teachers.

Branden Weiner, NMS eighth grader, attended the program because, “It was something I hadn’t heard about before. I’m interested in the technology side of things.”

For more information, contact Mr Davenport at 266-4038, or visit the website, woodburyffa.org.