“One thing was his experience in leadership,” shared Yellow Medicine East Superintendent Al Stoeckman about why Darrel Refsland was offered a contract as a full time Ag teacher at YME. Stoeckman was referring to the fact that Refsland, as the Ag teacher at Renville County West (RCW), has a strong and active FFA Chapter of 65 students.
When Refsland was interviewed it was evident that he has made solid connections with the community and businesses in support of the agriculture program at RCW. Courses that he has been teaching at RCW include small engines, ag mechanics, ag business, horses and small animals, welding and wildlife, soils and water management.
“He thinks outside the box,” stated Stoeckman. Refsland and the art teacher put together an interdisciplinary sculpture class. Stoeckman smiled as he explained, “The students used welding skills and art skills to create metal sculptures.”
Stoeckman was impressed with his ability to connect with students. “He also connects girls to the ag program.” A look at the RCW ag curriculum shows that Refsland integrates the roles that agriculture plays in non-traditional ag products like cosmetics into the course work. “Ag is not just corn, beans, cows and pigs anymore,” explained Stoeckman,
Darrel Refsland earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science with a Business Management emphasis and a minor in Economics from South Dakota State University in 1985. He is pursuing a Master of Education Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota.
He brings a solid background in agricultural management with an emphasis in plant science to YME. “His experience in agricultural education at the middle and secondary school level make him a good fit at YME,” shared Stoeckman.
Low student interest and schedule conflicts earlier this spring was one of the reasons that YME administration discontinued offering ag classes for the 2010-2011 school year. Organized interest over the summer in keeping the ag classes spurred the school board to look into the possibility of reopening the ag classroom offerings. Once school starts in the fall students will have an opportunity to register for ag classes.
