Maranda Chaplin, principal, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at St. Mary School.
In 2024, Bourbon County made FFA history by chartering the Bourbon County Middle School FFA Chapter and the St. Mary FFA Chapter.
Bourbon County Middle School is within the Bourbon County School District and has offered agricultural education classes off and on, while St. Mary School is a private Catholic school for preschool through middle school student that now offers agricultural education.
Bourbon County now has four FFA chapters, meaning agricultural education and FFA are a huge part of the community. It is important to connect with the two new agriculture teachers to learn more about their journey to becoming agriculture teachers and FFA advisors, as well as get a feel for these new programs and their goals for the future.
In part one, I connected with Jenna Thompson, who is the Bourbon County Middle School agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. This second interview is with Maranda Chaplin, who is the principal, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at St. Mary School.
Q: How has FFA impacted your life?
MC: I attended a Catholic high school that unfortunately did not have an agricultural education program and FFA chapter. However, I was very active in 4-H as a kid and grew up on a fourth-generation cattle farm. I was exposed to FFA by many of my friends. I joined the FFA Alumni as a high school student and volunteer as a supporter of FFA, even though I did not wear a blue jacket myself.
Q: What inspired you to become an agriculture teacher?
MC: Pursuing a degree in agricultural education was the perfect fit, blending my love of agriculture and my passion for education. Once I graduated with my degree and teaching certificate, I worked for a decade for the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) and traveled across the country working with agriculture teachers. Working with agriculture teachers from Alaska to New Jersey and from Louisiana to Michigan allowed me to see the incredible impact agriculture teachers have on their students and community on a daily basis.
I honestly didn’t see myself heading into the classroom to teach agriculture. After NAAE, God led me to be the principal of St. Mary School, which combines my love of education and my incredible Catholic faith. Through expanding St. Mary School to offer a middle school agricultural education program, I am excited to open new opportunities through premier leadership and personal growth for our students while being “here by the owl.”
Q: Why did you decide to start a middle school FFA chapter at St Mary Middle School?
MC: The idea of starting a middle school FFA chapter was sparked during a St. Mary Middle School Steering Committee meeting. More than half of St. Mary School families work directly in agriculture. Our parents saw the value of the three-circle model (i.e., classroom instruction, FFA and SAE) and the unique leadership opportunities it provides to our students. I am glad to use my experience from the agricultural education profession and my teaching certification to provide these opportunities for our students.
Q: What are your goals for the chapter?
MC: Our goals for our chapter are to grow membership and provide students with priceless opportunities to grow as leaders. We are excited to attend the Kentucky FFA Association’s middle school FFA camp this summer and elect officers for next school year.
Q: Why do you think it is important to expose students to agriculture?
MC: It is so important for our students and their families to know where their food comes from. So much time, dedication and love go into providing a healthy and wholesome meal for families to enjoy. I am grateful to share diverse learning experiences and hands-on STEM applications through agriculture with our St. Mary School students.
