Rural schools cultivate modern agriculture classes

And for Kortz, the dream starts here, in a converted milk house on his uncle's farm. From a bunch of old plastic barrels and tanks, Kortz has created a 1,500-gallon recirculating aquaculture system.

There's a Rube Goldberg quality to the operation: gurgling water, filters that look like plastic toys and a bucketful of fish food pellets. But it works. Once a year, since 2003, Kortz has harvested as many as 700 fish, filleting, vacuum-packing and selling them to neighbors.

"I'm a fish farmer instead of a dairy farmer," Kortz said. "But they're similar. You have high start-up costs. A lot of animals are susceptible to disease, and you have to take care of them."

Kortz is making his way in a rural economy, adapting to change, picking up new skills for a new century.

He once dreamed of following in his father's footsteps and becoming a dairy farmer. But in 2002, his father got out of the dairy business, and Kortz had to find a new farm passion.

He discovered it at Freedom High School, where a second-generation agricultural science teacher developed a first-rate academic program.

For years, Paul Larson, 41, a no-nonsense teacher, has worked with youths such as Kortz, bringing modern agriculture into the modern classroom. It's all a far cry from the way Larson's father taught agriculture science, when lessons included knot-tying and belt-lacing.

"Agriculture needs a trained work force," Larson said. "The kids may not be farmers. But they'll serve in the agriculture-related industries as food processors, consultants, veterinarians, feed specialists, agricultural mechanics."

And there's even a place for fish farms. It was Larson who lured Kortz into exploring an interest in raising fish by having Kortz help build the school's impressive aquaculture system.

Larson and fellow teacher Kevin Champeau, 43, are at the cutting edge of agriculture education. The lab is first rate. There's a greenhouse, aquaculture tanks and plenty of course and lab work. The students are computer-savvy, adept with microscopes. Some come off the farm. Others are suburban kids.

"We have many students interested in animals," Larson said. "We try to capture their attention in middle school, get them into ecology and conservation and help them become better environmental stewards."

Champeau, the son of a dairy farmer, also is eager to expose the kids to all facets of agriculture, even those from the city. Wisconsin's future, he says, depends on young people joining the agricultural work force.

"The whole definition of rural in the state of Wisconsin is changing," Champeau said. "We have more and more people moving out here from the big city."

But even as people move into this community between Green Bay and Appleton, Freedom retains its small town feel.

"There is a future for the small town," Champeau said. "Kids will leave here to get an education. But they will come back. And they will work."

Telephone:740-289-2071 or 1-800-297-2072(in state) FAX: 740-289-4591

2009® copyright by OCARD

Webmaster: yao63@ag.osu.edu