Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Dream of regional center part of changing profile in modern ag



Hydroponics.

Diesel mechanics.

Landscape designers.

Metal fabricaters.

Precision agriculture.

Sound like farm-related fields? They are exactly that –
and part of a dream for a regional ag/science center at the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted
High School, in conjunction with the University of Minnesota.

The center would give high school and college level students
the chance to prepare for a continuing career in a spectrum of fields related
to agriculture in the 21st century.

The dream is part of the changing profile of modern farming.

Few may realize that 20 percent of jobs in Minnesota right
now are agriculture-related, said Riley Hoheisel, HLWW school superintendent.

Of these jobs, less than 2 percent signify family farming
as it once was, said Jim Weninger, HLWW ag instructor.

Although the mom and pop farm with 40 acres and eight dairy
cows is a chapter in American history, the related job fields that manifest
the attractive features of farming: pride, dignity, self reliance, and working
with natural resources, are very much a vibrant possibility in the jobs
today of the 21st century.

Eventually, it is possible the center could partner with
the county extension office, educational workshops and summer programs for
agriculture education.

In addition, there is a charter school for urban education
due to open this fall in Roseville, that would complement opportunities
at the HLWW regional center of agriculture science.

The Wright Technical Center also has 1,000 students from
grades 9-12 that are a source for potential students as well.

Two-way interactive television and modern technology could
be used for education opportunities with the University of Minnesota as
well.

Possibilities with the ag/science center also reach across
other disciplines, Hoheisel said. “It’s not only ag,” he said.

The foundation for the regional center is being laid now,
with Hoheisel meeting with legislators and formulating alliances with University
of Minnesota professional staff and other contacts to make the vision a
reality.

The school board hired a grant writer to pursue several
different potential financial resources.

Hoheisel started a year ago with the project, making contact
with University of Minnesota staff.

Since then, Hoheisel visited the Brainerd agriculture farm
with Gene Lorentz, school board chairman. The Brainerd facility is the only
one in the state.

Last summer, he visited with the USDA rural development
in relation to a distance learning grant.

He has also contacted three local legislators – Sen. Steve
Dille, Rep. Tony Kielkucki, and Rep. Bob Ness, who support the concept of
the regional ag/science center, he said.

Recently, HLWW received $11,000 as a program grant from
the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning for the regional
center.

This grant will help pay for curriculum and the vision
statement, Hoheisel said.

Another grant for up to $8,000 was also verbally pledged
from the Central Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Hoheisel said.

A committee, led by Colette Thorson, is moving forward
with the vision.

Two other grants were applied for and not received, Hoheisel
said.

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