Lyman Hall ag‑science teachers briefed the Wallingford Board of Education on May 29 about a broad set of instructional and community partnerships that expand student access to industry certifications and hands‑on learning.

Teachers Casey Thousand and Shannon Russo, both alumni who now teach in Lyman Hall’s ag‑science program, described farm and animal care pathways, dual‑enrollment classes, and work with local conservation organizations. They told the board the program hosted an annual ag fair that welcomed about 2,000 visitors and that the work often requires teachers to arrive early and stay late to manage animals and equipment.

The program offers industry certifications and college credit in areas such as companion‑animal management and veterinary assistant training; teachers reported partnerships with Middlesex Community College and local veterinary clinics. The department also runs a dog grooming and daycare program, a land‑lab managed with the Southwest Conservation District, and student projects including installing wood‑duck boxes and removing invasive plants.

Casey Thousand credited community partners for supporting experiential learning: students volunteered nearly 60 hours at the Hungerford Nature Center; a local landowner provided 11 acres for hay production that yielded about 1,100 bales used to feed program animals; and students worked with Trout Unlimited and Connecticut DEEP on aquaculture and wildlife projects. Aquaculture teacher Mister Santiago also offers HACCP seafood‑safety coursework, Connecticut safe‑boating certification, and collaborations with the Sound School for oyster and lobster hatchery exposure.

Teachers said many of the program’s curricular and certification opportunities depend on teacher recertification and substantial out‑of‑hours work, and they thanked the board for supporting the program’s community‑facing events.