Home to the largest agribusiness, manufacturing, and production companies in the world, Decatur students can jump start their future at the Dwayne O. Andreas Ag Academy at Eisenhower and MacArthur High Schools.

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Through agricultural education, students are provided opportunities for leadership development, personal growth and career success. Agricultural education instruction is delivered through three major components:

  • Classroom/Laboratory instruction (contextual learning)

  • Supervised Agricultural Experience programs (work-based learning)

  • Student leadership organizations (National FFA Organization).

Agricultural education is a systematic program of instruction available to students desiring to learn about the science, business, technology of plant and animal production and/or about the environmental and natural resources systems.


https://www.ffa.org/about/agricultural-education

1 in 3 People Work in Agriculture Worldwide.

- FAO.org

Videos

"…help you explore the broad range of careers within the industry of agriculture. Agriculture has a variety and abundance of careers that fit within nine exciting career focus areas. Careers may have you using advanced equipment, creating new hybrid seeds, raising animals, managing people or designing new products and packaging.

 

The industry of agriculture can open up a world of possibilities, and the demand for professionals in every agricultural area is high."www.agexplorer.com

Decatur is home to the largest agribusiness companies in the world and was recently ranked 1st in the nation for agricultural bioscience employment.  It is not just agribusiness companies that benefit from those who have excelled in FFA. Students learn transferable career skills that will benefit any employer. Find a list of the Decatur community’s largest employers and current job openings at CareersDecatur.com.

FAQ


Where is the Dwayne Andreas Ag Academy?
Academy courses are offered at both Decatur’s MacArthur and Eisenhower high schools. Students should ask their guidance counselors how to sign up.

 

Who can sign up?
Traditionally, students may enroll in courses starting their freshman year of high school. Please check with your school guidance counselor.

 

How do students sign up?

Each high school is different, so please contact your student’s guidance counselor.

 

Where is the FFA program offered?

Starting Fall Semester 2018, Decatur’s MacArthur and Eisenhower high schools will have an FFA program that corresponds with the Dwayne Andreas Ag Academy curriculum. Other local schools that have FFA chapters: Central A&M, Cerro Gordo, Clinton, Lutheran School Association, Maroa-Forsyth, Mt. Zion, Sangamon Valley.

 

How many jobs are available in Decatur that could benefit from participation in FFA?

Home to the largest agribusiness companies in the world, but not just agribusiness companies benefit from those who have excelled in FFA. Students learn transferable career skills that will benefit any employer. Find a list of the Decatur community’s largest employers and current job openings at CareersDecatur.com.

 

What educational opportunities are available in Illinois after the Ag Academy?

The state of Illinois offers four unique and special pathways to obtain agriculture degrees—choose the program

that best fits you and your goals in life! Set up a visit now to explore our campuses. For more information on

majors, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities, check out University Pathways to Agriculture Degrees in Illinois..

 

Contact

 

Decatur Public Schools Foundation

 

Eisenhower High School

 

MacArthur High School