“I have the coolest job in the world,” shared Ethan Beeman, in his 10th year as Ag instructor and FFA advisor at Rye High School. “I get to teach classes filled with students who choose to be in my class, and I get to feed my personal passion for ag mechanics (welding, auto) and animal science (raising livestock.)” Beeman took time to visit with the Greenhorn Valley View because, in the first week of December, he will be one of six ag teachers from around the country participating in the National Association of Ag Educators - Ideas Unlimited, which will take place in Las Vegas.
As reported earlier in the year, Rye High School competed and won last January 22nd, in a state competition, which earned them the right to participate in the Region 2 competition in June.
The idea is a trailer safety simulation in which a toy truck and trailer on a treadmill, to simulate a highway, are used with different weight scenarios to show the proper way to locate weight in a trailer to avoid trailer swing and possible serious or fatal accidents.
That idea won the Region 2 competition on June 22, and Rye High School was invited to the finals in Las Vegas.
Region 2 consists of Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, Kansas, Louisiana and Arkansas.
“I actually got the idea from a smaller model I had seen,” Beeman shared.
“Then I and the students expanded the idea, put a lot of work into it, and are honored to represent this part of the country in the national contest.”
Beeman is a Pueblo County native and loves being involved with Pueblo County agriculture. He bought a ranch on 33rd Lane, right next to his dad’s ranch and his boyhood home.
With the exception of two years at NE Junior College in Sterling and two years at CSU-Fort Collins, Beeman’s life has been spent in the area.
“My dad was an ag teacher at Pueblo County High School for 30 years and taught me when I was in school,” Beeman opined.
“He taught me a love for the land and animals. My parents are still on the farm and my two older brothers and sister all live in Colorado.”
As a student at Pueblo County High School, Beeman competed in floriculture (design of plants and arrangements), meat judging, was on the parliamentary procedure team, and was the Chapter (Pueblo County) and District (San Isabel) FFA President. He was also elected Senior Class President.
Beeman feels that the curriculum he teaches is motivation in and of itself. “Most kids enjoy animals and knowing where food comes from. And the fact that they get to do hands on stuff is always more engaging than having a pen and paper in their hands at all times.”
When Beeman compares his life as a student to the students he teaches today he sees little difference. “Kids are still kids,” he surmised.
Rye High School Ag Instructor and FFA Advisor Ethan Beeman inducted into the 2022 Pueblo County Fair Hall of Fame.
Courtesy Photo “The difference is the integration of technology, kids have potential for distraction. I try to channel the use of the technology to learning rather than distracting. Everyday new technology is developed to increase food production.
I show the students how that technology can be a benefit.”
Beeman loves the fact that FFA, since 1969, has included both genders. “I think it’s great that girls are in FFA,” he shared. “I love being able to teach both girls and boys shop work and agriculture.
Females tend to have better hand-eye coordination. The majority of officers in Colorado and Nationally is female. FFA encourages and educates girls to go into the agricultural industry.”
Beeman gazed into the future. “I don’t think the family farm will ever disappear. Large scale farms will continue to thrive because of the necessity of increased food production but small farms, such as cow-calf operations, will still play a major role. Young people are interested and will continue the production and passion necessary for family farms to continue.”
Beeman shared another recent honor he had received. “I was inducted into the Pueblo County Fair Hall of Fame this year,” he smiled. “I have served as overall livestock superintendent, announce the livestock shows at the fair, and wrangle for the showcase sale.
What was the coolest part of the award is that my students knew about it but I didn’t.
They called I and my family into the ring and announced it. What a cool honor.”
Beeman thought about a summary for our visit. “The most important thing I learned came from my dad,” he shared, quietly, respectfully. “I have a passion for the industry because of how hard agriculture works for the general populous. It is very hard, very honorable work.”