MISSION, TEXAS (April 22, 2024) – Mission Consolidated Independent School District (Mission CISD) has officially kicked off the first of a month-long collaborative student exhibition with The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) titled "Mission CISD: Growing Next Generation of F.A.R.M.E.R.S.", which will run from April 20 to May 19, 2024.
This exhibition showcases the efforts and achievements of students engaged in the Mission CISD F.A.R.M.E.R.S. (Farmers, Agriculturists, Ranchers, Machinists, Engineers, Researchers, and Suppliers) program, designed to educate and inspire the next generation.
Esther Mendez, a Veterans Memorial High School Teacher and Sponsor for the F.A.R.M.E.R.S. Program, emphasized the initiative's impact.
“My objective is to empower my students to share their experiences and stories in growing their own food and to inspire others,” Mendez said. “Audrey Hepburn once said, 'To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.' We're nurturing a future where our students lead in agriculture, and I know they will continue to accomplish great things!”
The F.A.R.M.E.R.S. program promotes inclusivity, engaging students across all grades and encouraging diversity, especially among students with disabilities and those traditionally underrepresented in agricultural fields. Throughout the exhibition, 24 students from Mission High School and Veterans Memorial High School will be featured all month, showing their innovative contributions to agricultural science.
The exhibition also highlights personal testimonials from students discussing the program's impact on their lives—from fostering new friendships to discovering passions and contributing to community welfare through initiatives like local food banks.
"I truly valued working with Dr. Elanie Hernandez and Ms. Mendez on this project," said Mission CISD student, Astrid Murillo. "It offered a unique chance to express my personal relationship with myself and with nature. Watching everything come together has been exciting!"
Supported in part by a grant from Texas Women for the Arts, a program of the Texas Cultural Trust, this exhibition is a testament to the educational and community-building power of agriculture.
We invite the community to join in celebrating the achievements of these young leaders. The exhibition promises not only to showcase their accomplishments but also to offer a glimpse into the promising future of agriculture through these young minds.
For more details about the exhibition and to learn more about IMAS, please visit: https://theimasonline.org/mission-cisd-farmers/
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