National Future Farmers of America Officers Visit Milton Hershey School
On February 20, 2025, the Milton Hershey School Future Farmers of America (FFA) leaders welcomed officers from the national FFA organization to campus as part of their annual conference. The group, alongside MHS Agriculture Science Instructor Nicholas Isenberg, guided the officers on a comprehensive tour of several key buildings integral to the Agricultural and Environmental Education (AEE) program at MHS, including Project Market, the Environmental Center, and the Animal Center. The tour culminated with a visit to Founders Hall, which highlighted the deep-rooted agriculture significance in MHS history.
Pennsylvania Rep. Tom Mehaffie, R-106 joined the students during the tour, learning about their individual passions for agriculture. He was pleased to witness their excitement for the field as it is not only Pennsylvania’s primary industry, but the leadership and time management skills acquired through this area will have lifelong benefits for them.
“Milton and Catherine Hershey recognized how important agriculture education is,” Mehaffie stated. “So, it’s reassuring to see the school today continue to build on that foundation and prepare students for agriculture-related careers of the future.”
Pennsylvania Future Farmers of America State Treasurer Emily Kerstetter was impressed by the unique hands-on experiences at MHS that go beyond traditional classroom learning alone. Aspiring to become an agricultural educator herself, she found inspiration in the work MHS is doing to cultivate future agriculture leaders. This experience reignited her desire to one day make a similar impact on the next generation.
“From the clothes we wear to the food we eat, agriculture has an impact on every aspect of life,” she said. “Hands-on learning best conveys this message, and MHS executes that very well.”
During lunch, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding visited the students, talking to them about the importance of high school agriculture programs and encouraging them to become leaders in their own communities as they pursue careers in this field.
Agriculture encompasses much more than just traditional farming. Engineering, business, and marketing are just a few of the many skills needed to become the successful leaders Secretary Redding inspired the students to strive for. AEE is a part of the MHS Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, where students are prepared to do just that. CTE combines tailor-made instruction and hands-on learning with the ability to gain certifications and real-life experience through internships, co-ops, and pre-apprenticeships. This approach exposes students to all aspects of agriculture and other career areas, providing them with the knowledge and practical experience needed to make an impact post-graduation.
“Hosting Representative Mehaffie, Secretary Redding, and the FFA officers was the perfect opportunity to introduce our students to the breadth of agriculture opportunities available and to introduce our guests to the mission of MHS,” Isenberg said.
Agricultural instruction has been part of the MHS curriculum since Milton and Catherine Hershey signed the school’s Deed of Trust in 1909. Their focus on agricultural literacy has built a legacy of skill development, equipping students for success in any field they choose to pursue.