MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Agricultural education at Buhler High School has grown into one of the school’s largest and most diverse career and technical programs, serving students from a wide range of backgrounds and interests.
John Clark, one of four agriculture teachers and an FFA advisor at Buhler High School, recently discussed the scope and impact of the program during an appearance on the BW Morning Show. Clark is in his 34th year of teaching agriculture in the district, having joined the program in the fall of 1992.
Clark said the appeal of the job has never faded.
“I get to work with kids, and I get to work with agriculture,” Clark said. “Those are two of the best things I could imagine turning into a career.”
The agriculture program has expanded significantly since Clark began teaching. What was once a department with a single instructor has grown to four teachers offering multiple career pathways. Those pathways include animal systems, plant systems, and power, structural, and technical systems, commonly known as agricultural mechanics.
Clark currently teaches advanced animal science, advanced plant science with an emphasis on agronomy and crop production, food science, agricultural business management, and advanced agricultural mechanics. Other offerings include introductory agriculture science, horticulture, floral design, greenhouse management, and agricultural fabrication, where students design and build metal projects.
Agriculture education at Buhler has evolved far beyond traditional production farming. Clark noted that while some students pursue agricultural careers, many enroll to develop leadership, communication, and career-readiness skills.
“Agriculture today includes animals, plants, mechanics, food science, business, communications, and technology,” Clark said. “If it deals with food or fiber, it fits somewhere under the agriculture umbrella.”
FFA plays a central role in that development. Through the organization, students participate in competitions, community service, fundraising, and leadership events at the local, district, state, and national levels. Clark estimates the program offers nearly 150 different activities, allowing students to choose opportunities that align with their interests.
Enrollment numbers reflect the program’s reach. Buhler High School has approximately 650 to 700 students, with about 200 enrolled in agriculture classes this year. Clark said that over half of graduating seniors typically take at least one agriculture class during their high school career.
The program’s growth traces back to the late 1980s, when non-traditional courses such as veterinary science and horticulture were added. Enrollment quickly increased, reversing what had been a decline in participation.
Career pathways supported by the program extend well beyond farming. Students pursue careers in welding, mechanics, veterinary services, wildlife conservation, golf course management, landscaping, irrigation, food science, agribusiness, and emerging technologies such as drone applications in agriculture. Some graduates enter the workforce directly, while others continue on to community colleges, technical programs, or four-year universities.
Clark emphasized that his goal goes beyond graduation.
“If my job is just to get a kid to the graduation stage, I’m failing them and their families,” he said. “My job is to help them become productive citizens, lifelong learners, and contributors to their community.”
Clark said the continued success of the program reflects both student interest and community support, making agricultural education a cornerstone of career and technical learning at Buhler High School.