mately 90 minutes per period , at the beginning of the 2022-23 academic year .
The transition limits the number of classes students can take each academic year and makes teachers , like Schwarz , prioritize which classes to offer .
Although the floral design class will no longer be offered on a frequent basis , students can still prevail in the plant and landscape pathway or horticulture-focused classes .
“ We ’ re now preparing for a floral culture competition , and floral culture is similar to floral design except there is no designing in the process ,’’ Schwarz explained . “ I wanted my program to really align with my competitions . We ’ ve had very strong years of horticulture being shown from the high school .”
Another reason for the floral design course availability change is that Schwarz wants to emphasize “ pathway completer ” classes that can offer resume-building skills to students .
“ For the pathway classes , it really shows a student to see a process from start to finish . I have a lot of kids that will take me for one time and maybe find an interest somewhere else , which is totally fine , but [ continuing ] it does allow me to obviously grow a little bit closer with them in the second year ,” he said .
Students can earn a plant certification through the Georgia Green Industry Association . Approximately 10 to 15 students earn the certification each test period , he said .
“ That ’ s my goal . I want resume-building items that kids can go and do . I think completing a pathway and seeing it through to the end shows that [ the kids ] care about me as a teacher to do all the tests and study as well as it shows that they came back the next year because they ’ re interested in horticulture in general ,” he explained .
A common misconception about becoming an agriculture student or FFA member is that you ’ ll strictly become a farmer . The program can open doors to a wide array of careers including but not limited to mechanics , engineers , welders , florists , and doctors .
Colquitt County High School student Chloe Tillman waters ferns during her General Horticulture class . Photo submitted by
Michael Schwarz
Kenneth Williams joined the program as a tenth grader through the school ’ s new “ Basic Agriculture ” class . He was shy when he first entered the program and didn ’ t know what to expect from it . Schwarz then offered to join the plant landscaping class .
“ Once I noticed his drive and his ability to want to do the [ necessary ] things . I said , ‘ I have the tools for you . Let ’ s put them to use .’ And he put them to use very well .” Schwarz said .
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