(Gainesville, Fla.) – Workforce Florida, Inc. has awarded a $300,000 grant to Florida Farm Bureau Federation to establish the Employ Florida Banner Center for Agriscience, which will evaluate and develop curriculum that will be instrumental in meeting the workforce needs of Florida’s agriculture industry.
“This is an opportunity for the agriculture community to partner with educators to develop high school curriculum that will prepare students for the jobs that are available in modern agriscience,” said Pat Cockrell, assistant to the president of FFBF. “The Banner Center for Agriscience will coordinate efforts of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Education, Florida FFA Association, the University of Florida/IFAS and Florida Farm Bureau.”
The Banner Center, which will be housed by the Florida Farm Bureau in Gainesville, will ensure rigorous and relevant curriculum and career development events for high school students. FFBF industry advisory committees, agriscience teachers, University of Florida teacher educators, the Florida Department of Agriculture and FFA staff will be a part of the curriculum committees the Banner Center will establish. The goal is to review the curriculum frameworks on the 2010-2011 work plan and develop curriculum, including electronic lesson plans. “Train the trainer” sessions on the usage of these materials will be conducted for each district offering the programs.
The success of the curriculum will be measured by the number of students receiving the corresponding industry certification. “Industry certification is the ultimate goal,” Cockrell said. “We want employers in the agriscience industry to have confidence in the certification process, which should assure that new employees have the knowledge and skills to succeed.” He said Florida Farm Bureau will develop certification and specialization designations based on the work of the Banner Center.
The initial funding is for the first year of a three-year plan of work which FFBF anticipates will eventually result in the Banner Center’s being self-sustaining.