Shepherd University Connects Berkeley County FFA Students to Hands-On Agricultural Opportunities

ISSUED: 24 March 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV - Student and teacher representatives from FFA (Future Farmers of America) chapters from all four Berkeley County high schools visited Shepherd University's Agricultural Innovation Center at Tabler Farm to tour the property and learn more about opportunities for shared programming and resources.

Faculty and staff shared information about the different academic and business opportunities happening at the Center.

Among the guests was Berkeley County Schools Superintendent Dr. Ryan Saxe, a former agriculture teacher. He emphasized the potential impact of a partnership with Shepherd University.

"Berkeley County Schools have some of the most robust agriculture education programs in the state of West Virginia," Saxe said. "We want to be able to connect those programs and the students enrolling in those programs to opportunity, and that's what Shepherd provides."

Saxe added that access to Shepherd's facilities and expertise can enhance FFA programming across Berkeley County schools.

Carrie Clemens, agribusiness coordinator for Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, also attended the tour and noted opportunities for collaboration with Shepherd.

"I had a lot of ideas I'm going to take back to my president, Dr. Pete Checkovich, and we're going to discuss ways we can collaborate a little bit more," Clemens said.

Berkeley County Board of Education President Jacqueline Long and board member Michael Martin also participated in the tour, which included stops at the newly completed Agribusiness Center, Tabler Student Farm, aquaponics research center, high tunnel, and Agricultural Small Business Incubator plots.

Located just one mile from Shepherd's main campus, the Agricultural Innovation Center at Tabler Farm is a 158-acre historic agricultural property featuring forest and field landscapes. The site is home to the Tabler Student Farm and Agricultural Small Business Incubator. These projects contribute to the local agriculture system, creating opportunities for new and established farmers through the University's various programs. 

To learn more about Shepherd University's Agricultural Innovation Center or schedule a tour, visit https://www.shepherd.edu/sustainable-agriculture.

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