No bumper crop

Homepage

Related Photos

Justin Youngblood checks out plants in a HORT 4040 class taught by Dr. James Peake at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in Tifton. In the class, the students learn how to teach greenhouse management and production. These students were learning sexual propagation with vegetable seedlings they planted a week earlier. Submitted photo

February 19, 2013

No bumper crop

Clint Thompson CNHI The Times Enterprise Tue Feb 19, 2013, 07:05 PM EST

THOMASVILLE — First-year agricultural education teachers are earning an annual salary of $45,000. So why is there a shortage of agricultural education teachers around the state?

That’s the dilemma facing leaders in ag education, including Jason Peake, associate professor, and Diana King, assistant professor, at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environment Sciences on the Tifton campus.

“The last research we conducted shows Georgia still has a shortage of agriculture teachers and that trend has continued for the past 30 years,” Peake said.

Many factors contribute to the deficit, Peake said. Employees are not staying in the same position for 30 years anymore. Peake estimates 50 percent of Georgia’s agriculture teachers either move or leave the profession within the first five years. Other factors include geographical limitations. Many graduates, who are trained as agriculture teachers, aren’t able to relocate.

See Wednesday's edition for more details.

Text Only

Homepage

In addition to job losses, the future use of South Pinetree Boulevard hospital buildings and the 64-acre campus is a concern.

SOUTHWESTERN STATE HOSPITAL CLOSING
DBHDD director says move ‘data driven’

May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Officials working to fill economic void
May 22, 2013
All rooms reserved for Central graduation
May 22, 2013
Archbold Memorial Hospital awarded Gold Seal ACR accreditation
May 21, 2013
Car trouble plagues shoplifting suspect
May 21, 2013

Local News

Rajagopalbabu Srinivasan examines a tomato plant.

Researchers battling tomato yellow leaf curl virus
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
‘IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT’
Employees express concerns about Southwestern’s future

May 21, 2013
Dogs used to uncover delicacy
May 21, 2013 1 Photo
Feces contaminates 58 percent of public swimming pools
Human feces taints more than half of public swimming pools, a finding U.S. health officials are using to urge better personal hygiene as the summer months approach.

May 21, 2013 1 Photo
Kia Optima is a hit with the buying public
When it comes to midsized family sedans, the Kia Optima ranks high on my list for its good looks, economy and value.

May 21, 2013 1 Photo
VIDEO: Man hands out Abercrombie clothes on Skid Row in bid to shame brand
Anger has mounted online against clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch due to comments made by its chief executive and its strategy of not making women's clothing in any size above large.

May 20, 2013 1 Photo

Calendar of events

Local Sports