Spring Branch ISD Featured News

A new season of agricultural learning is underway at the Guthrie Center Agricultural Science Center, where middle and high school students are beginning hands-on experiences through Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs.

The CTE and FFA programs in SBISD prepare students for high-demand careers in animal science, veterinary technology, agribusiness, and environmental studies while offering real-world experiences that teach both leadership and compassion.

Each year, students welcome and begin caring for animals that become the focus of their agricultural learning experiences. The process unfolds in stages—steers in May, followed by swine, lambs, and goats in the fall, and finally poultry around the holidays. The timing ensures that all students and their animals are ready for major stock shows and the district’s SBISD FFA Show and Sale in February.

Before meeting their animals, students attend workshops that teach humane, responsible, and professional animal care—covering topics like daily feeding, recognizing behavior, and maintaining clean, safe housing. The focus is always on respect, compassion, and skilled care.

On arrival day, students spend time observing and connecting with animals of similar age and type, ensuring a fair start for all. Each student then brings their new animal partner to the district’s modern finger barns at the Ag Science Center, where they’ll spend the school year providing care, training, and attention while learning the science behind agriculture.

“Students take great pride in caring for their animals,” said Peyton Fisher, Ag Science Teacher and Lamb/Goat Advisor. “We love to see the educational growth as they raise these animals for exhibition and food production as well as success in the show ring.”

For students, the selection process is one of the most exciting and nerve-wracking moments of the year.

Claire Bernadac, a junior at Stratford High School (SHS) and pig exhibitor, said selecting an animal is one of the most important steps in the process because it sets the tone for the rest of the year. “To prepare, I went to a swine evaluation clinic and learned the best way to choose a good animal,” she said. “I like the lottery process that we have in place because it gives a more fair and equal opportunity for all the students to select their animals. It is all up to the draw! I usually get a midway draw, but I've always ended up with a decent animal.”

Emily Valicek, a senior at Memorial High School (MHS) and fellow pig exhibitor, agreed that preparation and focus are key. “Each year I like to look over the resources our Ag teachers provide us with in order to refresh my memory,” she said. “Because of the large quantity of animals we must evaluate in a short amount of time, it’s difficult to get a really great look at each one. I like to stick to the basics and look for some key characteristics in each animal.”

Even younger students are embracing the lessons that come with raising animals. Taylor Baskin, a seventh grader at Spring Branch Middle School (SBMS) and Junior FFA member, shared her excitement about her new lamb. “I had my heart set on lamb #448 and when my turn came after the lottery draw, I was blessed to be able to choose him,” she said. “I named him Malachi. I like the draw process because it is fair and gives everyone an equal chance. Now that I have Malachi, I’m focused on feeding him right, building trust through daily stuff, and learning everything I can to take care of him and prepare for this season.”

Families and community members will have a chance to celebrate students’ hard work during the SBISD FFA Show and Sale in February, along with other CTE and FFA events throughout the year.

Upcoming CTE & FFA Events in SBISD

Fall 2025

• Swine, Lamb & Goat Welcome Days

• Rabbit & Poultry Arrival/Care Orientation (December)

Winter 2026 (anticipated schedule)

• Jan. 25, 2026: Non-Livestock Show Judging & Project Check-In

• Feb. 5, 2026: Livestock Check-In & Official Weigh-Ins

• Feb. 7, 2026: Livestock Show Day 1 – Poultry (broilers and turkeys), Goat & Lamb Shows

• Feb. 8, 2026: Livestock Show Day 2 – Cattle & Swine Shows

• Feb. 9, 2026: Sale Day – Live, Silent & Resale Auctions

All events take place at the Guthrie Center Ag Science Center, where students learn to care for animals with compassion, responsibility, and professionalism—preparing them for future success in agriculture and beyond.

Learn more about CTE programming in SBISD here.