SUBMITTED TO CONNECT-BRIDGEPORT.

 

Bridgeport High School offers a diverse academic program, trying to deliver a wide array of opportunity for students interested in a variety of career fields. With the retirement of Former Home Economics Teacher, Mrs. Anita Horner, a new program has just started this year. Under the leadership of teacher Mr. John Lockhart, a new Vocational Agricultural Education program is being facilitated.

 

Bridgeport is one of a few schools that did not have an agriculture program before this year, “From 1938 until 1973, Bridgeport had an agricultural sciences program, but it seems like after Mr. Goodwin retired, the position was never filled. I do not know if it was because of administrative decisions or financial concerns from the county that held the program back, but I am thrilled the program’s starting back up again this year,” said Lockhart.

 

Lockhart has a lot to offer for his students interested in a field with such high demand, “Once the greenhouse gets built we will be offering a course on greenhouse production, and we will be continuing to offer what we have now, which is mostly horticulture- a study similar to botany. Next year, we have high hopes to offer a biotechnology class, which will have a focus on advanced agricultural sciences.”

 

Often an overlooked career profession, the impact of farming and resource driven economics are highly critical to the development and nourishment of the state and the nation, “There are many kids coming to Bridgeport that live in rural areas that could especially use these courses. Also, I want to open the eyes of kids who do not necessarily know much about where their food is coming from and how much bigger the agricultural industry is beyond that. Agriculture is the nation’s largest industry, and I think it is important that everyone has a foundational understanding of it,” said Lockhart.

 

Lockhart is anticipating a lot with this fresh start that was handed to him, “I really want to get the Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter up and running, also to get our greenhouse constructed and functioning is a major priority. There are also state and national FFA projects that I want to get started on this year as well.”

           

Despite this, there are still a lot of obstacles to overcome, “Weather permitting, the administration and county are backing us with the funding needed for our greenhouse to be built between the theatre and the back parking lot, here at Bridgeport High. The price of aluminum has gone up considerably which will alter our budget somewhat, but we hope that it is not too significant and construction can be continued as planned” said Lockhart.

           

With a projected growth rate of 26,700 jobs annually between now and 2020 according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Purdue University in the production of foods and other agricultural products, this is something that many young adults should be aware of.

 

Editor's Note: Vincent Pinti is a student in Mr. Brad Bonenberger's journalism program at Bridgeport High School. Stories that appear here are submitted and not assigned by Connect-Bridgeport. Pictures by Cam Rubenstein.