Brookesmith ISD issued the following press release:
The Brookesmith community is a place where roots run deep. Many families can trace their heritage back over 100 years, and descendants of those early settlers still live and work on the land today. While residents pursue a variety of careers in Brownwood and beyond, many maintain a strong connection to agriculture, continuing the legacy of “working the land.”
At the heart of Brookesmith ISD’s agricultural program is Mr. Greg Owens, now in his ninth year of teaching agrarian education in Texas and his second at Brookesmith. Under his guidance, students dive into the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum, which teaches them not only about farming but also how to sustain populations while protecting the environment. From Kindergarten through fifth grade, students explore the foundations of agriculture, learn about natural resources, and discover the origins of food, fiber, energy, and shelter.
By middle school, students begin to make choices about their agricultural education. In eighth grade, they take Principles of Agriculture, which introduces them to the Future Farmers of America (FFA). Here, students develop leadership skills, explore career opportunities, and grow personally through events like the Greenhand Leadership Conference, Creed Speaking, and quiz competitions.
As the school year progresses, students examine a wide variety of topics: Basic Animal Science, Agricultural Careers, Equipment, Crops, Soils, Fertilizers, Plants, Economics, and Farming Practices. They also prepare for Career Development Events (CDEs), putting their knowledge to the test in events like cotton judging, livestock evaluation, and agricultural sales competitions. Around spring break, students roll up their sleeves in the shop, learning to weld and construct projects—often as gifts for Mother’s and Father’s Day.
High school students can take Ag Mechanics, where they learn advanced welding and fabrication techniques, including Gas-Metal-Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Core, Oxy-Acetylene Cutting, Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), and Plasma Cutting. These hands-on skills are combined with opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications and participate in local and regional welding competitions.
Throughout the year, students apply what they’ve learned by designing, building, and presenting projects for county and state Ag Mechanics shows. They master every step of the process—from planning and blueprint reading to construction, documentation, and presenting their work to judges and the public. Students even take part in high-energy Ag Mech build-offs, where teams race against the clock to complete projects with engine-driven welders.
Brookesmith FFA students also have the chance to exhibit livestock. Lambs and pigs are raised for county and regional shows, with many animals housed on the school’s Ag Farm. For students, this isn’t just about competition; it’s about responsibility, dedication, and continuing a proud agricultural tradition that has defined their community for generations.
At Brookesmith ISD, agricultural education is more than a class—it’s a way of life. It teaches students the value of hard work, problem-solving, leadership, and connection to the land, all while honoring a century-old legacy that flourishes even today.
