Hayley Gruenewald got involved in agriculture education and FFA in high school where she discovered the opportunity to combine her interests as a student educator and solidify her career goals. While a student at Silex High School in #Agri-Ready Designated Lincoln County, Hayley discovered the opportunities offered by Agriculture Education on the Move™ (Ag Moves). This April she was recognized as the 2024 Missouri FFA Agriculture Education Proficiency state winner. In May, she graduated high school. The practical experience she gained teaching Ag Moves helped inspire her to become an elementary teacher.

Hayley remembers her initial response four years ago when someone suggested that she get involved in agriculture education in high school: “That’s not me, thanks.”  Despite her reluctance, Hayley later agreed to give agriculture a try. She quickly found that her teacher and advisor, Mr. Sean O’Brien, pushed his students to do their best and made learning about agriculture fun. As Hayley thrived in FFA, she began to consider a career teaching agriculture. 

As a freshman chosen to participate in the Missouri FFA HYMAX Academy, Hayley learned about the Ag Moves program and asked her FFA advisor to help her participate. “Since I don’t live on a farm, I was excited that Agriculture Education could be an SAE (Supervised Agriculture Experience) that I would be able to do,” Hayley said. “I didn’t need a farm; I could share my knowledge with younger kids.”

Ag Moves is designed to teach elementary students about crops, livestock, soil and water conservation, nutrition, careers in agriculture and more through STEM-focused lessons and curriculum which meet state learning objectives accompanied by fun, interactive hands-on activities. Missouri FFA students partner with Missouri Farmers Care and Ag Moves to teach  students in their local school districts, gaining hands-on experience in the classroom, and advocating for agriculture in their community. Ag Moves furnishes all training, curriculum and lesson materials at no cost     . 

Hayley and a peer began teaching Ag Moves to third, fourth and fifth grade students at Silex in September 2022 with the steadfast encouragement of her FFA Advisor. “I wanted to become a teacher, but I didn’t know that I wanted to teach elementary. The elementary classroom clicked for me when I started teaching Ag Moves,” Hayley said. “The program didn’t just allow me to teach agriculture; I learned how to work with students and how they learn and process information. The program taught me time management and planning skills. I learned that I loved teaching with hands-on activities as much as the kids loved learning with them.” Hayley’s favorite Ag Moves lesson was the dairy lesson, which includes a butter making activity for students. Because of her expertise, Hayley facilitated a special butter making session during her FFA chapter’s Food for America event. 

As the second oldest of ten siblings, it isn’t surprising that Hayley could envision herself as a teacher. “Growing up in my family, I have spent a lot of time helping with homework and learning to help kids with their emotions. In a big family, it is important that everyone is heard so it was natural for me to make sure every child was getting the opportunity to ask questions and participate in the classroom,” Hayley shared. 

During her second year of teaching Ag Moves, Hayley expanded on the Ag Moves lessons by adding  additional     hands on activities. She took the initiative to design some of her own lessons, including one about Christmas tree farms which she taught during the holiday season and a series of woodworking lessons with fifth      grade students that began with shop safety and included project planning. During her senior year, Hayley made an impact on 100 younger students at Silex.

Sean O’Brien provided resources and championed Hayley’s Ag Moves experience. “Mr. O’Brien has been one of my biggest supporters in choosing elementary education as my career path.” 

“Hayley was born to be an educator and has a teacher’s heart,” said O’Brien. “Hayley has had the unique opportunity to develop and put into action an ag-based curriculum. She learned how to plan out activities, manage classroom behaviors and dynamics, and develop clear instructions and direction-giving techniques. Without a doubt, this experience has better prepared Hayley for her future classroom.”

Her success with Ag Moves earned her a winning Missouri FFA proficiency award at State FFA Convention which advances her proficiency to compete at the National FFA Convention this fall. In addition, she will receive her American FFA Degree and compete with a team from Silex in the national Agriculture Issues contest. 

Hayley served as the president of the Silex FFA chapter and was involved in National Honor Society, Student Council, and many other activities. She graduated as Valedictorian of Silex High School Class of 2024. She has already completed 21 hours of college credit and earned an A+ scholarship through her efforts with Ag Moves. Hayley will be attending the College of the Ozarks this fall. She is the daughter of Kevin and Amanda Gruenewald. 

Through partnerships with 535 FFA members in 91 FFA chapters, Ag Moves professional educators, and collegiate education interns, Ag Moves engaged over 10,000 students with in-classroom lessons in 2023. Ag Moves is funded through Missouri Farmers Care, a coalition of more than 40 Missouri agriculture groups. Missouri soybean farmers and their checkoff, MFA Incorporated, FCS Financial and the MFA Oil Foundation support the program, along with contributions from Missouri Corn Merchandising Council, Missouri Beef Industry Council, the Missouri Fertilizer Control Board and additional partners. To learn more, to support the program, or invite the program into your school, visit www.agmoves.com.