Peoria’s Jamieson School is home to the newest chapter of the Future Farmers of America, a youth organization meant to build leadership through agricultural education.
The FFA has about 19,000 members around the state. But Jamieson’s chapter is unique: it’s one of just a few that consists completely of special needs students.
Jay Solomonson is Program Advisor at Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education for the FFA. He said this experience can help prepare the students for several different kinds of jobs in agriculture — not just farming.
“One in four jobs in Illinois is related to agriculture,” he said. “There’s over 300 agricultural careers out there, so there’s plenty of opportunity off the farm for students to prepare for an ag career.”
Solomonson said the FFA offers pathways for students to learn about animal science, mechanical engineering and agricultural research, among other areas.
He said students can also learn life skills, like how to grow their own food.
A group of about 16 students from Jamieson participated in Monday’s ceremony creating the chapter.
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