For 37 years Cheryl Werner taught students interested in agriculture at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center. She became a central part of FFA at the school and in Addison County.
This past June she retired.
Beginning in October 1983, Werner served as an advisor to the Middlebury FFA Chapter. Over the years, she taught Horticulture, Sustainable Landscaping, Sustainable Agriculture, Plant and Animal Science, and Mechanical Science.
During this time, she orchestrated supervised agricultural experiences, known as SAEs, that produced proficiency winners; trained and coached chapter and state officers; and featured award-winning teams in the following FFA Career and Leadership Development events:
– Agricultural Sales
– Milk Quality and Products
– Horse Evaluation
– Parliamentary Procedure
– Prepared Public Speaking
– Extemporaneous Public Speaking
– Floriculture
– Nursery/Landscape
– Creed Speaking and
– Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems
Werner is a past president and served several terms on the executive committee of the Vermont Agriculture Teachers Association. She was instrumental in restructuring the management of the Addison Youth Food Booth at Addison County Fair and Field Days.
Over the years, Werner was awarded her Honorary FFA Chapter Degree and Honorary Green Mountain Degree.
At the 85th National FFA Convention in October 2012 in Indianapolis, Werner received her Honorary American FFA Degree. This is the highest degree attained in the National FFA Organization.
Cheryl Werner was bestowed the 2008-2009 UVM Outstanding Teacher award at the Career Center for her distinguished skills and talents in teaching agriculture.
Through her leadership, she imparted that attribute to current and alumni members of the Middlebury FFA Chapter. With over 300 different agricultural careers to choose from, she taught current and alumni members of the Middlebury FFA Chapter how to build a solid foundation of lucrative networks in order to further their agricultural careers.
In June 2020, with honor and gratitude the Middlebury FFA Chapter officers presented her with a token of love and appreciation by planting an American sycamore tree at North Campus Deep Roots Farm at the career center. For 37 years she was devoted to fulfilling the FFA mission of making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.