The Tyrone Area FFA Chapter took part in the There’s a Pig in My Classroom national agricultural literacy program through the National FFA Organization.

The program is designed to teach students in grades 3-6 where and how pork gets to their plate.

Students learn about swine production, biosecurity, and more. The activity culminates with a virtual field trip to Fair Oaks Farm Pig Adventure. A $100 grant from Zoetis helped the Tyrone FFA chapter to get the program started at TASD.

“Having the chance to work with younger students is a pleasure. To have them be so excited about learning about the agriculture industry is energizing,” said senior Grace Peterson.

“Our chapter committee took it one step further and utilized the various lesson plans to create interactive and visuals for four days of instruction followed by a trivia game day,” said Tyrone junior Jenna Weyer.

All lessons and materials for the project were student-generated. More than 25 Tyrone FFA members participated in teaching fourth grade in October. By the end of November, the members will also teach all fifth graders and two classes of third graders.

“Pig in My Classroom was a fun experience for me and for the younger students. I had an opportunity to teach, and I took it. I hope to see them next year just as interested in agriculture as this year,” said sophomore Maverick Fleck.

COVID-19 added additional challenges to the instruction process, but Tyrone Area FFA members took it in stride. Students “Zoomed” in and FFA members divided the tasks and taught remotely while others taught in the classrooms.

“It was amazing how excited students were for us to come back each day with a new lesson and activity. I know as high school students, we were really nervous at first, yet quickly found teaching to be fun,” said senior Kiara Rhoads.