When Meredith receives an application, she says that the first thing she does is go straight to the applicant’s LinkedIn profile. One thing that surprised me was how influential LinkedIn is when landing an interview. After growing tired of guessing what’s appropriate etiquette for LinkedIn, I decided to ask the woman who’s in charge of finding the best and brightest for HLK - HR Director, Meredith Osborn. Facebook and Twitter are now second nature to me, but LinkedIn has always felt a little strange. 'We're looking forward to the community supporting our program.'įor more information on FFA week visit a recent college graduate, something I’ve been working on is tweaking my online presence to impress advertising professionals. 'We have organic fertilizer for all of our garden areas,' Hyman said. This Spring, they'll offer seedlings to the community. One of the best kept secrets on the southside, Creekside's Agriculture Education program is preparing students for careers in Agriculture. 'We collect two to three dozen fresh eggs daily,' Hyman said. The small animal care program includes rabbits, and also 34 chickens and laying hens. 'Our warm season garden includes tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash.' 'We have a cold season garden with collards, broccoli, turnips and cabbage,' Hyman said. As part of the Agribusiness program, students learn to market vegetables they garden. Owen Thomas Fisheries donated the catfish to the program. There is a fully functioning greenhouse, 400 gallon aquaculture tank complete with growing channel catfish and bluegill catfish. The school's program includes plant science and horticulture, small animal care and production and Agribusiness. He received an Agricultural Education Degree from the University of Georgia and has been with Creekside for 15 years. Hyman, who grew up on a small farm in Monroe, Ga., was always into agriculture. Without those students, it takes twice as long.' 'We have 200 ferns we're growing, but I have a class of only 20 students. 'I believe in learning by doing,' Hyman said. They see the advantages and importance of their students being able to make these real-life connections and be prepared to continue the pathway when they leave Oakley.'īut the pandemic has put a strain on the program. Hyman has been so invested in helping our program be successful from the start, from hosting our teachers and staff for an Introduction to Agriculture Education to assisting with identifying the Agriculture Education concepts into their Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies instruction.

'We're excited about our students participating in this program,' said Principal Estella Cook. In September 2020, Oakley Elementary began its partnership with the Creekside Agriculture Education program. The collaboration also encouraged a middle school Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) record book Gold Medal winner to become a state FFA Proficiency finalist for Creekside in the area of Horticulture research. Additionally, students have created Aloe Clean hand sanitizer from aloe plants grown by the students. The Quiz finalist will compete in the state FFA competition in March. Bear Creek had a First Place winner in the middle school record book competition, receiving recognition at the FFA state convention and a Region FFA Quiz finalist. Bear Creek has had 100 per cent FFA membership and several Silver and Gold medals for students competing in FFA awards programs. We also have students who have developed projects in middle school and want to take them higher in high school.'Īnd, the collaboration has paid off. 'The middle school students can utilize their peers who are in high school to help them prepare for the pathway and become more active in FFA. 'We collaborate during FFA activities and events,' said LaDonna Whithrow, Bear Creek, who graduated from Fort Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education. Hyman is also working closely with our feeder school, Bear Creek Middle, and is helping Oakley Elementary launch their program.'īear Creek's Agriculture Education program is helping students build their interest in the agricultural pathway offered at Creekside. Currently, Creekside is working on securing partnerships with local colleges to ensure students have an opportunity to continue their Agricultural education after high school. 'We pride ourselves as being one of the exemplary programs around the state of Georgia. Hyman and the Agricultural Program at Creekside High,' said Creekside Principal Frankie Pollock. Hyman, who is the Lead Instructor for the Agriculture Education program at Creekside High, has also helped get the program off the ground at Cogburn Woods Elementary. When National Future Farmers of America (FFA) week continues February 22-27, Travis Hyman will be celebrating with students all over the district.

The happy farmer on launchpad