President's Perspective: Seasons of agriculture and schools have similarities

Posted Date: 08/11/2022

Wow, where did the summer go? It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating another great class of graduates and in the blink of an eye, we just finished our county fair, which has always been my indicator that another school year is upon us.

As I made my way around the Sherman County fair, it occurred to me that this celebration of agriculture is a lot like a graduation.  In fact, the cycle we go through in education is very similar to what our friends in agriculture experience.   

Educators and producers view the start of each new year/season with hope and excitement, regardless of the challenges they may have faced in the previous season.  In fact, many of the best in either industry have become the best because they have learned to adapt from those challenges.  A new year provides the opportunity to try new things, improve upon the past, and most importantly, seeing the growth (sometimes even on a daily basis).  It is an opportunity to apply new techniques, implement new technology, and ultimately do what we can to impact the greater good.   

So here we are, the “spring” of the school season is upon us. New shoes and backpacks filled with notebooks and crayons are coming to a crosswalk near you soon.  There will undoubtedly be some challenges, but we all need to remember that for board members, teachers, staff, and children alike, this is the time of year that should be filled with excitement for the endless possibilities that lie ahead. We need to be prepared to hit the ground running because another graduation/county fair is just around the corner.