You Can Agriculture!

[Kylie Ver Kuilen]

Milwaukee Teacher Connects Students To Farming ​

Josh Gonzalez knows that “agriculture” is not really a verb, but with the help of Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom resources, he is encouraging fellow teachers to “agriculture”.

Josh is a self-proclaimed city-kid who has lived in Milwaukee for nearly his entire life. While he didn’t grow up directly involved in agriculture, Josh always understood the value of growing and sharing food. He remembers visiting his grandparents in Puerto Rico and seeing them exchange food with their neighbors. Josh’s family tradition of making tomato juice instilled pride in the hard work of creating your own food.

Josh carried this connection to food into his classroom at River Trail School of Agricultural Science in Milwaukee. Even before the school officially became an agricultural specialty school, Josh was teaching agriculture concepts in his classroom.

“Agriculture projects make it easy to do collaborative work,” said Josh. “Food is a great connecting point.”

Becoming an Agricultural Specialty School ​

When a fellow teacher used grant funds to purchase raised garden beds, it started a chain reaction that sparked change at the school. The raised beds provided tangible learning opportunities for special needs students. Interest in project-based learning and collaboration quickly grew across the school and soon after an agriculture committee was created. Josh was selected by his peers to chair the agriculture committee. Josh noticed a change in the students, too. They were excited to eat vegetables and took pride in growing their own food and sharing it with their families.

“When they grow their food, they are amazed by it and they want more of it,” said Josh.

The student engagement led Josh and the agriculture committee to expand and grow agricultural programs at the school. Josh began reaching out for community support and was grateful to find help.

During this period of research and development, Josh was introduced to Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom. “It took a lot of looking for opportunities and a lot of hustle and effort,” shared Josh. “You need a compost bin? Build one!”

He connected with a retiring florist who donated two 80-foot hoop houses. He applied for a grant to purchase a Fork Farms unit and acquired a second unit from a nearby school.

When neighbors of the school started asking questions about projects on the school grounds, Josh reached out to the Milwaukee County Farm Bureau for funding for signage explaining the purpose of the compost pile, perennial garden, food forest and more projects at River Trail.

All these things came together over time for River Trail to officially become an agricultural specialty school in August 2023. An agricultural coordinator was hired to oversee the agriculture projects and bring specialized expertise to the staff.

As an agricultural specialty school, the curriculum is focused project-based learning and agricultural opportunities for grades 4K through eighth grade. Students learn reading, writing and math while caring for the school’s vegetable garden, pollinator garden, food forest, greenhouse, hydroponics, compost bins, pumpkin patch and small animals. Agriculture is required to be intertwined with regular curriculum at River Trail.

By eighth grade, students have been exposed to agriculture concepts and literally got their hands dirty through project-based learning. Students graduate from River Trail ready to continue to more advanced agricultural studies at Milwaukee’s Vincent High School of Agricultural Sciences.

Learning How to “Agriculture” ​

Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom was an integral tool in transitioning River Trail into an agricultural specialty school. Teachers needed standards-based lesson plans to integrate agriculture into their curriculum and AITC already had the tools to seamlessly implement the concepts.

Some tenured teachers at River Trail were hesitant to adopt the changes. A peer approached Josh and said, “I don’t know how to ‘agriculture’!”

He showed his fellow teachers the Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom curriculum matrix. The database of free, standards-based lesson plans and resources uses agriculture as a framework for teaching science, social studies, career and technical education, and nutrition. Lessons are sorted by topic area and grade level.

“The curriculum matrix was a game changer,” said Josh. “You can pick what you want and adapt it as needed.”

Josh’s fellow teachers quickly realized they can agriculture. Often, the teachers at River Trail are learning and experiencing alongside the students.

Growing Agriculture Connections​

In 2024, Josh was asked to join the Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Educator Ambassador Team. The team of seven top-agricultural literacy educators provides training and advises the resources and experiences offered by Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom.

“Being part of the Educator Ambassador Team has helped build up our school and our ag program,” said Josh.

In 2024, Josh completed an Agricultural Literacy Certificate to become a Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Certified Educator. The program offered through Utah State University teaches the basics of real agriculture and farming. Now, nearly all of the teachers on the agriculture committee have completed their certification.

Josh received a USDA grant with funds designated for an agriculture-related field trip. When he spotted the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center during a trip north on I-43 for a Packer game, he knew he had to bring his students there. Prior to the field trip, Josh led his students in an AITC lesson creating dioramas of an ideal farm. The farm tour and hands-on activities provided a full-circle moment for his students.

“You could see the actual connections being made for the students,” said Josh.

Celebrating Servant Leadership​

Josh’s desire to help students stems from his own school experiences as a child. He was often the first to finish his own work and, much to his teachers’ chagrin, could be found helping other students complete their own tasks. He realized early on that he had a strong desire to help other people.

“I’m here to serve my students and do what I can to help them,” said Josh.

Josh was named the 2024 Wisconsin Outstanding Teacher by Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom. This award celebrates educators who excel in promoting agricultural literacy and fostering meaningful learning experiences.

Josh went on to be recognized by National Agriculture in the Classroom with the 2026 National Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award, a prestigious award that honors teachers from around the country for the innovative ways they use agricultural concepts to teach.

“I think [the awards] bring some credibility to our program,” shared Josh. “It shines a light that urban agriculture can be done.”

The award recognition is a credit to the whole staff at River Trail School of Agricultural Science. The team works together to create meaningful opportunities for their students.

“I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish,” said Josh. “It is something good for the kids.”

The accolades showcase why Josh became a teacher in the first place – to help kids, make a difference in their lives and use his God-given gifts to serve them to the best of his ability.

Josh continues to encourage other teachers and peers to ‘agriculture’. He is bringing teachers and students together with fun activities that encourage experienced-based learning.

“Stretch your dollar, eat healthier, share with your neighbors, work together,” said Josh. “All those good things – that’s what we’re trying to instill [in the students].”

Food brings everyone together and engaging students in agriculture is making a big difference in the lives of students at River Trail School of Agricultural Science. That is proof that everyone can ‘agriculture’ if given the chance.

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Story by Rachel LaCount | Photos by Raegan Statler

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