In his 11th year at Hopkins County Central, Benjamin Prevette is being honored for his work in agricultural education.
The Golden Owl Award is an honor presented by the Kentucky Future Farmers of America (FFA) Foundation. The award recognizes agriculture educators for their contributions in helping shape the next generation of leaders. Recipients can be nominated by students, colleagues and supporters.
Prevette attended Murray State University, where he majored in agriculture education and completed his student teaching at Caldwell County High School before joining Hopkins County Central.
“I fell in love with agriculture at a young age. Growing up in south Christian County, I had agriculture all around me,” he said.
That early exposure led him to taking agriculture classes and joining his high school’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter. “I fell in love with FFA. I invested a lot of time and energy in the organization in high school,” he said.
At first, Prevette believed he would become a veterinarian, but he quickly discovered his calling in education.
”After a few discussions with some professors, I realized that I needed to make a change and become an ag teacher,” he said.
Prevette desires to make his classroom a place where all his students feel like they belong.
“I love having students in class that love farming, all the way to students who can’t really explain where their food comes from,” he said.
His classroom, he says, is a place for students “to try new things, learn new skills, and develop/fuel a passion for agriculture.” His students spend time in the greenhouse propagating plants and growing sweet corn, watermelons and cantaloupes.
Prevette also teaches a shop class where his students gain experience with hand tools, power tools, welders, small engines, tractors and other items.
“I like to get students out of the classroom and working with their hands. I feel like this is where learning happens best for most students,” he said.
To strengthen his program, Prevette encourages collaboration with teachers in different subjects.
“Collaboration is key to the success of an agriculture department,” he said. “For example, when we are figuring angles to cut on a piece of wood, I will invite one of the math teachers down so that students can see the things they learn in geometry also apply in the real world.”
Community partnerships also play a major role in the program.
“We have a fantastic partnership with the Hopkins County Farm Bureau and the Hopkins County Conservation District. These organizations support us financially by helping us provide unique opportunities to our students. The local ag industry has also been key,” he said.
Local cattle producers have helped the school establish its own beef herd and companies like Beck’s Hybrids and Kentucky American Seeds have supported the school garden.
When Prevette learned he had been nominated for the Golden Owl Award, the recognition felt overwhelming.
“Personally, I was in shock. I don’t teach ag for the recognition,” he said. “…and I just want to do everything I can to make sure students have all of the same opportunities I had, and even more.”
“I was humbled that someone thought enough of me to nominate me for this award. It is special to know that someone sees the hard work I put into trying to be the best ag teacher and FFA advisor that I can be,” he said.
He expressed his gratitude for the FFA community and said that he was “thankful to be a part of a unique group of individuals who promote agriculture and FFA each day.”
Leave A Comment