Field Trips

Students in both plant science and agricultural business will get to explore local businesses connected to the plant science systems each year in the fall. Often this includes locations that have vegetable production and processing, hydroponic facilities, fruit production and processing, greenhouses, grain storage, fertilizer production and management, and more. Previous Businesses have included Walter's Gardens, Spring Meadow, Ottawa Orchards, Robinette's, Frederick Meijer Gardens, Revolution Farms, Andy Mast Greenhouses, Lincoln Nursery, and Zeeland Farm Services. 

Closed-toed shoes and appropriate dress for outdoor conditions are required on each tour. Depending on the location, students may also have to wear hair and beard nets and complete proper food safety visitor documentation. 

This field trip is free of cost, but students are asked to pack their own lunch or bring money for lunch depending on the itinerary locations that year. Free Lunch from the cafeteria may also be available upon request. 

PERMISSION SLIP

Students in plant and agricultural business have the opportunity to attend the Great Lakes Fruit Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO in downtown Grand Rapids during the first week of December. Students will be able to attend educational sessions and visit expo booths to learn about all components of the fruit and vegetable industries both here in the United States and Canada. 

Closed-toed shoes and appropriate dress for outdoor conditions are required. Students are encouraged to wear program apparel and smart casual dress while indoors. 

This field trip is free of cost, and students are provided lunch. 

PERMISSION SLIP

Agricultural Science students who have assisted in raising their broiler chickens may attend the contest each fall. At this contest, students will butcher their chickens and have them evaluated by a judge. Students must be prepared to answer questions about their projects and assist with moving and packaging their broiler chickens. 

Closed-toed shoes and long pants, and any additional dress for outdoor conditions are required. Additionally, students must wear a baseball cap and have long hair tied back, or they will be provided with a hair net. 

This field trip is free of cost, but students are asked to pack their own lunch. Free lunch from the cafeteria may also be available upon request. 

PERMISSION SLIP

Each fall, students in Agricultural Science will have the opportunity to visit the Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery to learn more about natural resources systems and pick up the salmon eggs to be used for our Salmon in the Classroom Project. 

Closed-toed shoes and long pants, and any additional dress for outdoor conditions are required. The majority of the field trip will take place outside, rain or shine! 

This field trip is free of cost, but students are asked to pack their own lunch. Free lunch from the cafeteria may also be available upon request. 

The Department of Natural Resources also requires additional chaperones for this field trip; please reach out to Mrs. Bos directly if you are interested. 

PERMISSION SLIP

Animal Science students who have assisted in raising their market rabbits may attend the contest each spring. At this contest, students will butcher their rabbits and have them evaluated by a judge. Students must be prepared to answer questions about their projects and assist with moving and packaging their market rabbits. On the way home, we will visit the Michigan State University Campus to learn more about the secondary animal science programming. 

Closed-toed shoes and long pants, and any additional dress for outdoor conditions are required. Additionally, students must wear a baseball cap and have long hair tied back, or they will be provided with a hair net. 

This field trip is free of cost, but students are asked to pay for lunch, since it is buffet style at a MSU Cafeteria. 

PERMISSION SLIP

LUNCH PAYMENT

The Ottawa County Legislative Breakfast is an opportunity for students in Agricultural Leadership to network and expand their knowledge of local agricultural issues. This field trip aligns with the agricultural policy unit and will help prepare students for their unit assessment. 

Professional dress is required; official dress is preferred. 

This trip is free of cost, and breakfast will be provided. 

PERMISSION SLIP

The World Food Prize Youth Institute at Michigan State University is an opportunity for students in Agricultural Leadership to network and expand their knowledge of global agricultural issues and potential solutions. This field trip aligns with the global agriculture unit and will be the last component of their unit assessment. 

Professional dress is required. 

This trip is free of cost, and both breakfast and lunch will be provided. Students will have to enroll in 4-H online to participate as well, but this is free of cost as well. 

PERMISSION SLIP

The Stream Team Summer is an opportunity for students in Agricultural Leadership to network and share their knowledge of local agricultural issues related to stream monitoring data. This field trip aligns with the agricultural communications unit and will help prepare students for their unit assessment. 

Smart casual dress or business casual is required. Students should also dress for the outdoors and to be on a research vessel in Lake Michigan for several hours. 

This trip is free of cost, and lunch will be provided. 

PERMISSION SLIP

All students in an agriculture course will have the opportunity to compete and attend an Agricultural Skills Contest, also known as a Career Development Event. These events vary based on student preference, location, and timing. The majority of the contests will take place between April and May. The contests can be a couple of hours or a full day depending on the format. The majority of contests will take place at Michigan State University. 

Dress for each event will be specific to the rules but can range from medical scrubs to FFA official dress to casual dress. Please be sure to review the rules before departure. 

This field trip does require a fee or sponsorship. Each individual must pay a $25 fee to participate or can get a minimum of a $100 sponsorship for their entire team. Each team should discuss amongst themselves how they plan to pay. These fees help to cover the costs of registration, transportation, contest materials and supplies, lunch, and more. 
These fees and sponsorships are due one week before the respective contest and must be paid through Infinite Campus. 

Lunch and a light breakfast will be provided. Depending on the length of the contest, students are also encouraged to bring money for additional snacks or dinner. 

PERMISSION SLIP - HORSE JUDGING 

PERMISSION SLIP - LIVESTOCK JUDGING 

PERMISSION SLIP - MEATS JUDGING 

PERMISSION SLIP - ALL OTHER CONTESTS

FEE/SPONSORSHIP PAYMENT

All students in an agriculture course will have the opportunity to compete and attend an Agricultural Skills Contest, also known as a Career Development Event. These events vary based on student preference, location, and timing. The majority of the contests will take place between April and May. The contests can be a couple of hours or a full day depending on the format. The majority of contests will take place at Michigan State University. Various trainings are available to help students prepare for each contest; their locations and dates will vary, but will take place prior to the contest date. 

Generally, casual dress is appropriate for most trainings, but depending on the contest, outdoor dress may be required. 

This field trip does require a fee or sponsorship. Each individual must pay a $25 fee to participate or can get a minimum of a $100 sponsorship for their entire team. Each team should discuss amongst themselves how they plan to pay. These fees help to cover the costs of registration, transportation, contest materials and supplies, lunch, and more. 
These fees and sponsorships are due one week before the respective contest and must be paid through Infinite Campus. 

Lunch and a light breakfast will be provided. Depending on the length of the training, students are also encouraged to bring money for additional snacks or dinner. 

PERMISSION SLIP 

FEE/SPONSORSHIP PAYMENT

Please review the "Conventions" tab under "FFA" on the main menu to learn more about the National FFA Convention and access related information. 

Please review the "Conventions" tab under "FFA" on the main menu to learn more about National FFA Convention and access related information.