When Ariana Klovstad first began teaching at Valley High School five years ago, she had just 60 students in the agricultural program.
Now, with more than 200 participating students, Valley High School continues to make a name for itself in the world of agricultural education.
At the state convention in June, eight students in Valley High’s FFA chapter took home championships and qualified to compete at the National FFA Convention in October.
Chapter President Colton Dudley said his team, made up of Jaretzy Holguin, Corbin Holman and Andrew Schmunk, won the nursery landscape title, the first team at Valley to win this category at state in the past 10 years.
Another team of sophomores, Ashlyn Blackwell, Sydney Bruce, Kennedy Evans and Brittani Grauberger, won the agricultural communications team championship, a new contest in Colorado, according to Klovstad, the school’s agricultural education teacher and FFA Advisor.
Valley’s FFA chapter was also named one of the top 10 agricultural programs in Colorado, earning the group a three-star chapter rating — the highest honor in FFA. Only two chapters in Colorado have received this top honor.
“The kids keep saying that we’ve peaked,” Klovstad said.
The Valley agricultural program offers four different pathways for students to explore: plant science, animal science, food science and ag mechanics.
As a high school representing small communities in LaSalle, Gilcrest and Platteville, giving students opportunities they might not otherwise have is important for the ag educators in the program, Klovstad said. Those opportunities include hands-on, work-based learning skills as well as career readiness skills such as public speaking, interviewing for jobs or writing resumes.
FFA focuses on both these critical skill sets for postsecondary life, inspiring Valley High School’s ag students to join FFA.
“It’s 100% student-led,” Klovstad said about the program. “I’m here to open doors for them the best I can, but it’s really all them.”
The Valley High School FFA chapter, established in 1978, has grown in size and scope over the past five years. Klovstad shared an example of a student developing an agricultural curriculum for elementary schools.
“I think one of the things we’re really lucky to have is passionate students who want to serve their communities and know that it’s not about them,” she continued. “It’s just the high drive that our students have for serving others.”
The heightened interest in ag has allowed Valley High School to add a third agricultural teacher this year, a first for the program, according to Klovstad. The expansion has “jump-started” the school’s food science pathway, opening the door for students to learn more about food preservation and how to provide for themselves after high school.
Although Klovstad credits her students for making the ag program thrive, other educators recognized her worth and contributions.
The National Association of Agricultural Educators recently honored Klovstad with the “Teachers Turn the Key” award at the 2025 Summer Colorado Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association Conference. The award goes to early-career ag teachers, encouraging them to stay in the profession and supporting their professional growth.
True to its name, the award focuses on giving recipients the “keys” to a long, successful teaching career, which includes a symbolic key in addition to professional development like training, mentorship and networking opportunities.
“It’s a very demanding job with long hours,” Klovstad said. “It’s really worth it, especially when you’re in a program that makes you feel like you’re having an impact. My job would be nothing without the kids. That’s the reason I do this.”