Ag I Curriculum, #1 on CIMC’s Best Seller List

Ag I Curriculum, #1 on CIMC’s Best Seller List

In 1905 the Oklahoma territorial legislature required that agriculture be taught, both as a science and as a vocation, in all of the territory’s public schools.

Today, with 23,258 agricultural education students in Oklahoma, the Agricultural Education I curriculum remains a sure best seller.

According to "A History of Career and Technology Education in Oklahoma," by Danney Gobel, it wasn’t until 1968 that “vocational” – CareerTech – education became an independent system.

That is when the governance of Oklahoma vocational education was transferred from the State Board of Education to the newly established State Board for Vocational-Technical Education. The State Department of Vocational and Technical Education became an independent executive agency.

That was also the year that Oklahoma established the Curriculum and Instructional Materials Center (CIMC) at the state agency in Stillwater. The CIMC soon became a national leader in the design, development, and distribution of educational materials custom fitted to the needs of entire industries.

“CIMC has customers in all 50 states and around the world,” said Kimberly Sadler, CIMC coordinator. “And, for Oklahoma teachers, the cost of curriculum remains much lower than for other customers, because product development is an investment by the state.”

High school programs, area technology centers, junior and community colleges, proprietary schools, and government agencies are current users of CIMC products. Business and industry customers are also learning of the training and cost advantages of using CIMC instructional systems. Industry groups and trade associations have partnered in the development of its products and services.

“The ‘Ag I’ curriculum has been around since 1968,” said Margi Stone Cooper, project manager. “However, the third edition looks much different than the first edition, or even than the second edition from just eight years ago. The new Ag I curriculum features subject matter information presented in a textbook-like format, interesting sidebars, and career-related feature stories. In addition, supplemental resources such as fact sheets and media presentations are included on a CD-ROM, along with the tests in MS-Word format so teachers can easily customize them.”

The changes in the Agricultural Education I curriculum mirror changes in agriculture and agricultural education. Women were included in the national FFA membership in 1969. Students back then were called “Future Farmers.”

Today, the men—and women—of FFA are called agricultural or agribusiness students. Nationally, women account for some 36 percent of FFA membership, while more than 50 percent of state FFA leadership positions are held by women. Hispanic and African-American members now represent 21 percent of the membership.

The business of agriculture has changed, too. Today, satellite and computer network systems provide educational and information resources to American farmers. Hundreds of agriculture-related sites are accessible on the Internet.

Image of Gov. Henry presenting award to Ruth Bobbitt

Ruth Bobbitt (right) of the Deer Creek-Lamont FFA receives the State Star Farmer award from Gov. Brad Henry during the 77th annual State FFA Convention April 30, 2003

And, although farming remains vital, more career choices are available relating to agriculture, food and natural resources. Some of these careers include bankers, lawyers, legislators, oil and gas producers, public school teachers and administrators, television anchors, communications and public relations practitioners, farm and ranch production owners/managers, veterinarians, manufacturers, and accountants.

In Oklahoma, the current governor is a product of agricultural education.

Gov. Brad Henry served as the Shawnee FFA Chapter President while in high school. In 1999, Julie Payne Coody became Miss Oklahoma. From Grandview, Coody was active in her high school FFA chapter. She enrolled in agricultural education and joined the FFA for public speaking opportunities. The reigning Miss Oklahoma, Elizabeth Kinney was also active in her high school program and organization in Mooreland. She was elected State FFA Reporter in 2000-01 and is an agricultural communications student at Oklahoma State University.

“Agricultural Education is one of the most unique programs available to students,” said Eddie Smith, state program manager for agricultural education at the Oklahoma Department of CareerTech. “Although the topics are agriculture-related, the skills and knowledge learned are valuable to any student, whether college-bound or career-minded.”

“The inevitable changes that take place in an industry over the years demand a continual reevaluation of its curriculum. Agriculture is one of those industries,” said Craig Maile, CIMC assistant coordinator. “All of our curriculum has become more user-friendly and engaging, too,” he said.

For more information on CIMC, visit the website at: http://www.okcareertech.org/cimc/index.htm


Carmen Coulter does her homework on a Pocket PC using the foldable keyboard.	Pat Fisher checks metal prices and projected costs using the Pocket PC in the shop.	Daniel Schmidt keeps track of pigs and sow breeding records.
Technological advances over the last 100 years have greatly affected agricultural education. Handheld computer-based curriculum is being piloted in agricultural education programs at four Oklahoma schools, including Broken Arrow, Cleveland, Perry, and Cave Springs (in Bunch). Broken Arrow High Schools are students are shown using the Pocket PC with agricultural education curriculum.

Changes in consumer demand influence livestock production. Though once quite common, lard-type hog breeds, such as the Hereford, have fallen out of favor and are now considered rare or, in some cases, nearly extinct. In contrast, double-muscled breeds, such as the Black Exotic, have recently become quite popular at 4-H and FFA livestock shows.
Hereford	Black Exotic