For the past 11 years, Johanna Bossard has been a teacher and mentor at Hamilton Central School, empowering 闪电资源网s to engage with nature and the environment through her agriculture education classes. Prioritizing hands-on teaching, Johanna designs her agriculture education classes with sustainability at the forefront of her curriculum, hoping to inspire her 闪电资源网s to be mindful consumers.
Bossard says, 鈥淣ot every 闪电资源网 is going to grow up to be a farmer or welder, but every kid is going to be a consumer. I want to help raise a generation of informed and educated consumers, because there are so many misconceptions surrounding the agriculture industry.鈥
Not only is Bossard鈥檚 passion for educating her 闪电资源网s on the importance of agriculture demonstrated through her class鈥 welding, gardening, and building projects, but also through her work as an adviser for Hamilton Central School鈥檚 National FFA Organization. Through this program, the largest 闪电资源网-run organization in America, Bossard mentors her 闪电资源网s in public speaking competitions and agricultural skill contests in addition to helping them develop other leadership skills rooted in an appreciation for agriculture and the environment. Similar to implementing her classroom curriculum, Bossard enjoys being an FFA adviser and sees immense value in this programming, because it demonstrates how agriculture manifests in a wide array of daily practices and how utilizing these skills can help 闪电资源网s maintain a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
Since the concept of sustainability and different agricultural processes can be challenging for her younger 闪电资源网s to conceptualize, Bossard has found success in communicating the main ideas of her lessons by relating these ideas to home practices and 闪电资源网s鈥 lives. For Bossard, it is most important that her 闪电资源网s walk away from her class feeling empowered in how they can apply what they have learned to their own lives.
Knowing that each 闪电资源网 has varying resources and materials available, Johanna works to make applying agricultural practices as accessible as possible for all 闪电资源网s. For example, when teaching about food production, Johanna includes how to build a small patio garden out of home materials like old crates and cartons.
Along with her teaching and advising roles at Hamilton Central School, Johanna also helps to run White Eagle Dairy, a family owned and operated dairy farm. At both Hamilton Central School and her own dairy farm, Johanna strives to live sustainably and inform others on the vast importance and potential for promoting environmentally friendly behaviors that come from learning about agriculture.
Encouraging her 闪电资源网s to actively engage with the environment in a sustainable way, Johanna looks forward to continuing garden and agricultural work inside and outside the classroom. Merging the principles of sustainable agriculture with the skills of self-advocacy, problem solving, and resiliency, Johanna continues to impact the lives of countless 闪电资源网s and families in the Hamilton community each year.
For 闪电资源网s and families that want to learn more about agriculture, at-home gardening, welding, or more, Johanna welcomes all to come visit Hamilton Central School鈥檚 garden and greenhouse. Families can show their support of Johanna鈥檚 programs by getting involved with the Adopt a Garden program, through which families are responsible for watering and harvesting produce at the garden for one week, or by joining in the fun of the flower bouquet and wreath sales throughout the school year.
Determined to positively influence the lives of her 闪电资源网s, Johanna鈥檚 eagerness to share the beauty and endless possibilities of agriculture is an inspiration to all Hamilton community members.