Dr. Josh Stephens, the advisor for Euclid High School’s FFA Chapter and teacher for the Euclid High School CTE Urban Agriculture program, has been awarded a $1,000 grant from the Ohio FFA to promote diversity within the organization. This groundbreaking initiative aims to expand opportunities and inclusivity in the FFA, historically rooted in rural communities with less diverse racial demographics.
The grant reflects a growing recognition from major agricultural companies of the critical need for a diverse workforce to meet the demands of an evolving industry. To drive this change, they are looking to agricultural educators like Mr. Stephens to lead the way.
Dr. Stephens will travel to Columbus this week to undergo training and begin planning the implementation of this initiative. The program will launch at Memorial this year and continue with activities and efforts throughout the school year.
This effort underscores a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that students from all backgrounds see themselves as integral to the future of agriculture and its many career opportunities. Congratulations to Dr. Stephens and the Euclid High School FFA Chapter for being at the forefront of this important movement!