WAYLAND, Iowa — Pork Industry News Brief

Pork Industry News with Rachel Fishback — In Case You Missed It.

A growing agricultural education program in southeast Iowa is creating new opportunities for students while strengthening connections between classrooms and real-world agriculture. At WACO Community Schools in Wayland, Agricultural Instructor and FFA Advisor Ethan Fetzer is leading a rapidly expanding FFA chapter that now serves more than 130 students—nearly doubling participation since its launch just a few years ago.

The program’s momentum is fueled by strong community support and a focus on hands-on learning, giving students direct exposure to animal science, plant science, and food production. Through innovative lab spaces—including a greenhouse, food science kitchen, and animal learning facilities—students are gaining real-world experience in livestock care, crop production, and agricultural systems. These experiences are helping bridge the gap between classroom education and modern agriculture, especially for students without a traditional farm background.

A major milestone for the program is the opening of the Eichelberger Farms Agri-Science Center, a new agricultural learning facility designed with input from educators, community members, and industry supporters. The center allows students to engage in activities like livestock care, greenhouse production, and food science projects—experiences that are often not possible in traditional classrooms.

During a recent interview with Pork Industry News with Rachel Fishback, Fetzer highlighted how hands-on learning is shaping student engagement and preparing young people for careers across agriculture—including the pork industry. He emphasized that many students are experiencing livestock production for the first time, gaining a deeper understanding of animal care, food systems, and the full production cycle.

The WACO FFA chapter will host an official open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Eichelberger Farms Agri-Science Center on Saturday, May 2, beginning at 8:45 a.m., followed by public tours and a student-led greenhouse plant sale. The event will showcase student projects, agricultural labs, and the impact of hands-on education in preparing the next generation of agriculture leaders.

As agricultural education continues to evolve, programs like WACO FFA and the Eichelberger Farms Agri-Science Center are demonstrating how community support, innovation, and student-driven learning are helping build the future of the pork industry and rural communities.