About Our Program & the FFA

About the National FFA

"Future Farmers of America" was founded by a group of young farmers back in 1928. Their mission was to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. They taught us that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting-- it's a science, it's a buisness and it's an art.

FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet those challenges by helping its members to develop their own talents and explore their interests in a broad range of career pathways.

So today, we are still the Future Farmers of America. But, we are the Future Biologists, Future Chemists, Future Veterinarians, Future Entrepreneurs of America, too.

The Agriscience Program

          The Ellis Clark Regional Agriscience and Technology Center located at Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury, Connecticut is one of the largest and most successful in the country with over 300 students from 23 different towns. Started by Ellis Clark, the first Vo-Ag teacher at Woodbury High School in 1920, this program was originally a farming school for boys, with no FFA connection for 8 years; hence the National FFA was formed in 1928. The program remained at Woodbury High School until 1970 at which point a new High School and Agriscience Building was constructed in Woodbury. The High School and agriculture facilities were both designed to accommodate students from Region 14 School District (Woodbury and Bethlehem). Currently, selected students from 23 towns attend Nonnewaug High School for the Agriscience Program. The continued success of the program has caused enrolment numbers to increase steadily over the years forcing a major renovation and expansion completed in 1999. 

         The following Connecticut Towns allow students to attend Nonnewaug High School for the Agriscience Program - Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Bethel, Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Danbury, Derby, Middlebury, Naugatuck, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Oxford, Prospect, Roxbury, Seymour, Sherman, Southbury, Washington, Watertown, and Woodbury.

        For all students that live in Woodbury or Bethlehem, Nonnewaug High School is their regional high school. These students go here whether or not they are in the Ag program. Students from Woodbury and Bethlehem do have the opportunity to be in the Ag program but do not have to be. Students that attend Nonnewaug from the other 21 towns are provided with free transportation from their sending school districts, and must be enrolled in the Agriscience program in order to attend Nonnewaug. All students that would like to be in the Agriscience program from any of the 23 towns must complete an application during their eighth grade school year. The application includes teacher statements, statements from any leaders of community groups (scouts, church, etc.), current transcripts, guidance counselors’ recommendations, and a short statement from the student applying. In addition to the application students are interviewed by Mr. Davenport, the Agriscience program director. A committee made up of teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators review all applications and interview notes and rate the applicants numerically. Annually, there are approximately 150 - 175 applications submitted for 100 openings
          The Ellis Clark Regional Agriscience and Technology program's building is one of the largest and most state of the art around. It includes enough classrooms to accommodate the seven instructors and the programs extensive curriculum. All classrooms have wireless technology and enough computers to accommodate all students in class. Facilities include a small animal lab, a large animal lab, a plant conservatory, four greenhouses, a food science lab with walk in refrigerator/freezer, a six bay garage for equipment storage, a large shop area for engine, metal, and wood work, a maple sugar shack, and barn that was renovated by the students for livestock and horses.