Walla Walla High School agriculture program named best in state, advances to nationals

WALLA WALLA — The Walla Walla High School agriculture program has been named the top secondary program in Washington, a prestigious honor that advances the local chapter to a national competition.

The Washington Association of Agricultural Educators recently presented the school with the Outstanding Middle/Secondary Agriculture Program award. The recognition serves as a gateway to the National Association of Agricultural Educators’ national contest, highlighting programs that excel in innovation and student leadership.

Walla Walla’s agricultural roots run deep, dating back to 1931. What began as a modest two-teacher operation has evolved into a powerhouse of career and technical education. A centerpiece of the program is its seven-acre on-campus farm, where students manage a flock of Hampshire cross sheep, two greenhouses, and irrigated pastures. Recent bond projects have also added state-of-the-art technical labs for welding and agricultural mechanics.

A major shift occurred in 2013 when the district adopted the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) and transitioned to an affiliated FFA chapter. These moves helped explode membership from roughly 75 students to more than 460 annually.

Today, four full-time instructors — Peggy Payne, Jennifer Crane, Kirsten Gilbert, and Jessica Johnson — oversee the program. They utilize a “three-circle model” that balances traditional classroom instruction with FFA leadership development and supervised work experiences.

District officials credited the win to strong community partnerships and the program’s ability to offer science credits through diverse pathways like biotechnology and plant science, ensuring students are prepared for both the modern workforce and higher education.

From L to R: Kirsten Gilbert, Jessica Johnson, Peggy Payne and Jennifer Crane (Photo courtesy WWPS)

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