A group of dedicated students is fighting to save the Central Campus Agriscience Academy after the Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) Board announced a one-year pause on the program. The decision, part of a broader restructuring of the district’s Career & Technical Education curriculum, has sparked backlash from students and supporters who see it as a significant setback for agricultural education in the state.
Senior Liliann Tjaden-Duff and Agriscience Academy alumna Trinity Barth are leading the effort to overturn the pause, arguing that the program offers unique opportunities for students interested in agriculture, livestock, and veterinary science.
“I can’t stand by and watch the Des Moines FFA Chapter and Agriscience program disappear,” said Tjaden-Duff, addressing the school board at a recent meeting.
“We cannot let this program disappear,” Agriscience Academy Alumni Trinity Barth wrote in her letter to FarmHER asking for help. “This program is one of the most unique and impactful agricultural education programs in the state of Iowa. It is one of the most diverse, with students from a wide range of backgrounds, and a majority of its members are female–things that are especially significant in an industry that is historically dominated by white men.”
An Ag Program at Risk
The Agriscience Academy, founded in 1975, provides students hands-on experience through a learning facility with an on-site barn, a student-run store, and three greenhouses. Students also participate in livestock shows and competitions through the National FFA Organization.
Despite these resources, DMPS officials stated that the program “lacks credibility” and “does not reflect the diverse lived experiences of DMPS students.” Opponents of the pause disagree, citing the academy’s efforts to promote inclusivity through programs like Jr. Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (Jr. MANRRS), which introduces students of all backgrounds to careers in agriculture and natural resources.
“MANRRS is usually found at the collegiate level, but our school is one of the few high schools in the country to offer it,” said Barth. “We even collaborate with Iowa State University, providing students with direct industry connections.”
Accomplishments and Advocacy
Students involved in the program have earned national recognition:
- In 2023, Barth’s team won the Iowa FFA Veterinary Science Career Development Event (CDE), later competing at nationals, where they received bronze team and silver individual medals.
- Barth placed second nationally in a separate Veterinary Science CDE hosted by Texas A&M University.
- Tjaden-Duff, current FFA chapter president, won first place in the sub-district and district Job Interview Leadership Development Event (LDE) and will compete at the state level.
- In 2023, she was crowned Polk County Fair Queen, an opportunity she attributes to the Agriscience Academy.
Protecting Educators and the Future of Ag Education
In addition to saving the program, students advocate for the retention of their ag teacher, Kevin Anderson, who they say has played a vital role in their success.
“Mr. Anderson doesn’t just teach agriculture—he lives it. He pushes us to be better and helps us find opportunities we never could have imagined,” said Tjaden-Duff. “Without him, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have today.”
The program collaborates with organizations like NASA and FarmHER, and has provided students with life-changing experiences. However, its future is uncertain.
Call for Support
Students and supporters are calling on the public to help save the program. A petition has been launched, and community members are encouraged to contact the DMPS School Board to share their experiences with agricultural education.
For more information and to support the effort:
- Sign the petition: https://chng.it/vtNTgXyfK7
- Watch the DMPS School Board meeting (below) and reach out with stories and support for agriculture education and the National FFA’s Organization’s role in your successful career in agriculture or STEM.
The Des Moines School Board’s complete statement:
Good afternoon,
I wanted to share with you information I received on the reasons behind the program pause and how the program would be resigned and commence again in school year 25-26; see below. We look forward to welcoming you to speak tonight but wanted to make sure we all had the information needed.
Summary: Re-Visioning the Agriscience Program
A steering committee composed of post-secondary and industry partners will be established as early as June 2025 to re-imagine and re-align the Agriscience program with community and industry needs. This will involve selecting new focus areas, securing updated curriculum materials, and recommending changes to learning spaces to support the new vision.
Key Actions & Timeline:
- 2025 (June-Fall): Steering committee convenes to set direction, curriculum, and facility needs.
- Late Fall 2025: Launch of a student recruitment campaign for the 2026-2027 school year.
- Fall 2026: Implementation of infrastructure changes funded through a financial campaign.
Why This Change is Needed:
- Current Program Limitations: The program is heavily focused on FFA, animal husbandry, and plant sales, which do not reflect the diverse lived experiences of DMPS students.
- Industry & Workforce Misalignment: Students are not gaining the broad skills required for future careers in agriculture.
- Lack of Representation & Inclusivity: Many students have cultural connections to agriculture that differ from traditional rural Iowa farming and are not interested in FFA.
- Industry Partner Concerns: The current model lacks credibility, making it difficult for partners to justify investments.
- Unsustainable Resource Allocation: The resources required to run a high-quality Agriscience program that fully utilizes facility investments are not sustainable given that only 16 returning students have chosen to remain in the current program.
Solution: A Temporary Pause for a Strategic Relaunch
Pausing the program for at least one year (2025-2026) will allow time to revision the program with input from partners, students, and the community. This will create a more inclusive, relevant, and workforce-aligned program while ensuring increased partnerships and student enrollment in the coming years.
Rosie Rios on behalf of the School Board
Executive Assistant – Des Moines Public School Board
515-242-7713
Rosa.Rios@dmschools.org
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