Walla Walla High School Agriculture Program Earns Statewide Excellence Award, Advances to National Competition
Published in Week in Review - May 14, 2026, updated May 20, 2026
Walla Walla Public Schools is proud to announce that the Walla Walla High School Agriculture program has received the Washington Association of Agricultural Educators Outstanding Middle/Secondary Agriculture Program award. This prestigious statewide recognition honors exceptional middle and high school agricultural education programs across Washington and serves as a pathway to the National Association of Agricultural Educators Outstanding Middle/Secondary Program competition.
Agricultural education has been part of Walla Walla Public Schools since 1931. What began as a two-teacher program focused on agricultural mechanics and animal science has grown into a comprehensive program offering pathways in Animal Science, Plant Science, and Power, Structure, and Technical Systems.
A defining feature of the program is its seven-acre on-campus land lab (school farm), which provides hands-on learning opportunities for students. The farm includes a flock of Hampshire cross sheep, two greenhouses, a refurbished barn for livestock and instruction, irrigated pastures, a pole building for student projects and events, and storage facilities for program resources. Students and staff also benefit from state-of-the-art classrooms and technology made possible through recent bond construction projects, along with an extensive technical lab space for welding and agricultural mechanics instruction.
In 2013, the program expanded significantly with the adoption of the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE). Beginning with the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) course, the program has since added CASE courses in Animal Science, Plant Science, Agricultural Power and Technology, Biotechnology, and Agricultural Equipment Maintenance and Technology. These courses provide science credit opportunities while helping fuel substantial program growth, which now supports over four full-time agriculture instructors.
Peggy Payne, Jennifer Crane, Kirsten Gilbert, and Jessica Johnson teach a wide range of agriculture courses while jointly advising the Walla Walla FFA Chapter. Additionally, Clayton Hudiburg teaches AP Environmental Science. Together, they focus on advancing the district mission while supporting all three components of the Agricultural Education three-circle model: classroom instruction, FFA leadership development, and supervised agricultural experiences.
Also in 2013, the program became an affiliated FFA chapter, helping increase membership from approximately 75 students to more than 460 annually. This growth reflects strong student engagement and the program’s commitment to meaningful leadership, career readiness, and experiential learning opportunities.
The WaHi Agriculture program earned statewide praise for its innovation, enrollment growth, leadership development, and strong community partnerships. This recognition reflects the dedication of students, staff, families, alumni, and community supporters who continue to strengthen agricultural education opportunities at Walla Walla High School.
As a result of this achievement, Walla Walla High School will now advance to the national competition through the National Association of Agricultural Educators.
