Audit & Assess: A Smarter Way to Reset Your Ag Program Mid-Year

rootedcurriculum
Nov 29
3 min read

If you’ve ever walked into your classroom in December and thought, “How on earth did we get here?”—you’re not alone.

Most agriculture teachers aren’t struggling because they’re unorganized or unfocused. They’re struggling because they’re running a full-scale operation:

Classes, labs, shops, greenhouses

FFA officers, events, trips, and deadlines

SAE check-ins, AET records, and parent contact

Facilities, fundraising, paperwork…and every unexpected fire that pops up at 7:58 a.m.

By the time December hits, most teachers are running on instinct instead of intention.

That’s exactly why this month’s theme—Audit & Assess—matters.

Mid-year isn’t just the halfway point. It’s the natural pause where you get to step back, look at the whole system you’re managing, and make adjustments that lighten your workload for the rest of the year.

It’s the moment where you get to stop reacting and start recalibrating.

Why a Mid-Year Audit Matters

In the business world, CEOs use mid-year reviews to evaluate performance, highlight wins, identify bottlenecks, and realign their strategy.

Ag teachers deserve the same level of clarity.

When you think like a CEO, you stop asking:

“What am I supposed to fix first?”

And start asking:

“What’s working, what’s not, and what deserves my energy going into spring?”

A mid-year audit gives you the answer—without adding more work to your plate.

What Does It Mean to “Audit & Assess”?

Auditing isn’t about tearing things apart. It’s about noticing what’s already happening.

When ag teachers take this approach, everything shifts:

Instead of asking:“Why wasn’t this unit smooth?”

You ask:“What small tweak would make this unit smoother next year?”

Instead of:“I don’t know where my FFA officers stand.”

You ask:“What leadership habits have actually developed this fall?”

Instead of:“I feel behind on SAEs.”

You move to:“How many students are engaged and what support do they need to re-engage in January?”

Instead of feeling overwhelmed, you start to feel aligned.

3 Areas Every Ag Teacher Should Audit Mid-Year

Here’s a simple way to begin shifting from “surviving” to “strategically adjusting.”

1. Classroom Operations

Look at instruction, resources, and your physical space. Not next semester’s plans—just what you’ve already taught.

Ask yourself:

Which lessons worked well and should be repeated?
Which ones need clarity or pacing adjustments?
What resources pulled their weight—and which didn’t?
Does your classroom layout support the way you actually teach?

Small tweaks now save you hours later.

2. FFA Systems

Your chapter is a machine. Your officers, events, culture, and finances all play a role.

Consider:

Who has grown as a leader and who needs coaching?
Which fall events created genuine impact?
Where did you invest your time and money wisely—and where do I need to adjust?

Strong systems build strong leaders.

3. SAE Engagement

SAEs thrive when systems thrive.

Audit:

How many students are genuinely active?
How many projects align with proficiency areas?
Who is consistently recording in AET?

Then ask: What instruction, opportunities, or partnerships can I strengthen this spring?

A mid-year reset can reignite student engagement.

Want the Full Mid-Year Audit Workbook?

If this post is speaking your language, you’ll love December’s Monthly PD Challenge Workbook: Audit & Assess — Mid-Year Strategy Analysis.

This workbook is only available inside The Community Garden, my monthly professional development membership for Ag teachers — and just like every monthly challenge, it disappears when the month ends.

When January arrives, this workbook closes and a brand-new challenge drops.

Members get access to the full December challenge, including:

The complete Audit & Assess mid-year workbook
Mid-year conference sheets for your FFA officers
A student-friendly SAE Check-In page
A one-page Strategic Planning Tool
Reflection prompts + guided writing to help you reset for spring
Printable templates you can use in your classroom or planner immediately

Doors reopen for new members on January 1.If you’ve been waiting for PD that’s created for Ag teachers by an Ag teacher — and you don’t want to miss December’s challenge before it goes away — this is your moment.

Join the waitlist or learn more here.