Ben Meyer earns national honors

Ali Bronsdon, Leader Staff

Ronan High School teacher Ben Meyer was named Montana's Outstanding Young Member by the National Association of Agricultural Educators, Inc.

"It was a nice honor," said Meyer who is in his second year of teaching at Ronan.

Open only to teachers with less than six years experience, applicants were judged on a variety of criteria including teaching philosophy, effective classroom and experimental instruction, development of partnerships and professional growth. The selection committee also considered the teacher's alumni - the jobs they now hold or awards they have won through his influence, Meyer said.

The Stevensville native began his teaching career in 2003 in Maddock, ND. In 2006, Meyer left his position at Conrad High School to pursue a masters degree at Montana State University and serve as a teaching assistant in the university's Agriculture Education Department. Soon after graduation he moved to the Mission Valley with his wife, Michelle, who is currently enrolled in graduate courses at the University of Montana.

"I certainly enjoy the people here and the support of agriculture education that exists in the Mission Valley," said Meyer, who believes all of the towns had a program at one point in their history, but Ronan is the only one that is still around. "It's not only training students to work as a farmer or a rancher; it's bigger than that. There are a lot of people here that understand that and it's a nice place to work because of that."

Meyer works with about 80 students in the agriculture department and about 30 as the school's Future Farmers of America advisor. The program has been around since 1939, but has seen quite a few turnovers with staff. According to Meyer, there have been about a half-dozen teachers in the past decade who have taught agriculture education in Ronan. As FFA advisor, he works to prepare students for leadership and competitive events that give them experience with real-world careers. The largest student organization in the US, FFA members go to various events and compete, while at the same time preparing for careers in fields such as natural resources, agriculture, astronomy. Meyer also coaches students from Charlo and Mission School Districts since Ronan is the only school that currently provides those opportunities.

"I am looking to provide stability and progress in moving the chapter forward," he said. "It's so applicable to any student of any background. I'm the first person to admit that very few people will take up farming or ranching as their career, but it's about educating students about our food and fiber system in the world around us and helping them to be better citizens in the communities where they live."

Meyer said the group is working hard on public awareness. Every weeknight they put on a sixty-second radio spot called the "Mission Valley FFA Minute" on 750 KERR FM radio, which takes place during the 5 p.m. hour.

"There are many people who enjoy hearing what we do," he said. "We work with different community service activities."

For example, FFA students help maintain the stock yards in Ronan - a high quality shipping and corral public use facility.

"We work hard to make sure that's available to the livestock producers in the Mission Valley," Meyer said.

As Montana's award winner, Meyer will soon face-off against winners from surrounding states for the opportunity to be named the 2008 NAAE Outstanding Young Member for Region I. Regional winners will receive a cash award and an expense-paid trip to the NAAE conference in Charlotte, NC.