New McClain course combines tech and farming
By Angela Shepherd
GEVS
This school year two McClain High School teachers have teamed up to offer students a combination of two different fields that can help produce a skill set relevant to today’s – and tomorrow’s – needs.
According to technology teacher Nate Luke and agricultural sciences teacher Madison Schumacher, their course combines technology and agriculture. It is called Precision Agriculture and Technology and is for McClain sophomores, juniors and senior students.
Luke said the class could enable students to earn CCP credit, high school math credit, and multiple industry credentials including the Part 107 pilot's license, hydroponics, electric or pneumatic, and more.
He said students will learn about non-traditional agricultural technologies and practices like automating gardens, variable rate application, hydroponics, using AI to monitor livestock, as well as aspects of business.
As for those business aspects, Schumacher said that would include cost-benefit analysis of investing in equipment, farms financial planning, crop insurance and risk management using agricultural technology insights, and return on investment calculations for technology adoption.
Luke said they also plan to develop relationships with business, agricultural, and community partners throughout the school year. The thinking is students could research and build systems based on these partners’ needs and get that real-world experience. It could also be possible for these student-developed systems to be in competitions.
The new course is basically students learning how “precision ag tools impact profitability, efficiency, and decision-making in modern farming,” Schumacher said. “This business-focused approach will provide students with valuable skills applicable to both farm management and agribusiness careers.”
To stay in-the-know about what is going on in the Greenfield Exempted Village School District, check out the district website at greenfield.k12.oh.us, or go to any of the district’s social media platforms. The individual buildings also have Facebook pages.