Getting It All Done

I think we all agree that it is an understatement to say, “Spring time in the Ag. Department is busy”.  We know that this time of year means working with CDE teams, growing and selling plants, preparing for the state awards deadline, organizing the chapter banquet, completing school-wide projects, registering for summer camps and conferences, and the list never ends. How do we get it all done?

If we were grain farmers and it was time to put corn in the ground, we would want to be ready. The seed from the local dealer would be lined up and ready to go, along with the herbicide needed for pre-plant. The planter would need a tune up by checking all the components and servicing all moving parts. Finally, we would have to prepare the field and ask ourselves if the tractor was ready to put in the long hours necessary to guarantee our crop would be planted in the most optimal planting window.   

We can learn several lessons from the grain farmer.  First, we can gather all materials and have them on hand before the spring activities begin. These materials may include our greenhouse supplies/tools and supplies needed to prepare CDE teams. We can accomplish this by making a year-long schedule which allows us to slowly chisel away at all the steps that get us ready for spring.  A second way to improve productivity is to ask for help and even allow others to help us. I find a lot of help from Alumni members, but these relationships must be developed well in advance. It is okay to be specific for what we would like for a volunteer to do for us. By being specific, both parties understand the expected outcomes and our students benefit. We should all consider allowing a volunteer to water the greenhouse on a weekend we are away, work with a CDE team, provide supervision for a community service project, or be a speaker for our classrooms. Finally, we need to put in the extra time to empower students to be the leaders they can be. If we get students to buy into our programs, they can help our chapters to achieve success. More importantly, our students end up far ahead of their fellow classmates, as they are gaining leadership skills and developing a good work ethic that many students do not have the opportunity to achieve. 

I never accomplish as much as I would like to, but with some year-long planning, I think spring time in the Ag. Department can be less hectic, more productive, and more successful for our students. 

David Overcash, NCATA President-Elect

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