Reedley Middle College High School recognized for 'Overall Outstanding Ag Department'

REEDLEY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Fresno County charter school is being recognized for its agriculture department as students are preparing to compete at nationals.

Chloe Lopez has plans to be a veterinarian one day.

As she was preparing for high school, she figured her best path forward would be applying to attend Reedley Middle College High School.

It's a charter school in the Kings Canyon Unified School District where students are dually enrolled at Reedley College.

"I thought it would be a good chance for me to earn college credits and help me, I guess, like a quick start to my career," Chloe said.

She started learning under ag teacher Martin Castro. He says that while students learn traditionally, they also get their hands dirty, whether that's in the classroom or on the farm.

"We provide students with practical, hands-on opportunities so that they can really bring the textbook to life," Castro said.

Knowing Chloe wanted to become a vet, Castro encouraged her to take part in the Future Farmers of America competition team for veterinary science.

Students compete through written tests, recognition and practicums.

Castro's students have been very successful.

His classroom walls are filled with past winnings.

"If our teams were a sport, they'd be a D1 team. That's how competitive they are," Castro said.

That competitiveness helped them stand out.

Reedley Middle College High School was recently recognized by the California Agriculture Teachers Association for Outstanding Single Person Department and Overall Outstanding Ag Department for the entire state.

"We come from small towns, so to be the number one in the state of California, it's like a really huge accomplishment for our school," Chloe said.

Castro says they're proud of their accomplishments thus far and are still hoping to accomplish more as they compete once again in the national FFA competition.

A total of eight students will compete at nationals.

They leave for Indianapolis at the end of next month.

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