Midway ISD Ag Science Instructional Facility Rules

2023-2024

IN ORDER TO USE THE MIDWAY ISD AG SCIENCE INSTRUCTIONAL FACILITY, STUDENTS/PARENTS AGREE TO COMPLY WITH THE RULES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OUTLINED IN THIS CONTRACT:

The purpose of the Ag Science Instructional Facility (ASIF) is to house SAE Projects for paid Midway FFA members and is the property of Midway ISD. Therefore, the ASIF is for the convenience of a Midway ISD student who has no place to keep a FFA project while being a paid FFA member at Midway ISD. The use of these facilities is a privilege, not an entitlement. All equipment and facilities are under the direct control of the Ag Science Teachers and Midway ISD. Animals will not be allowed at the ASIF until this contract between the student, parents, and the Ag Science Teacher has been fully understood and signed, and facility usage fees paid.

Ag Science Teachers are available for consultation and guidance in feeding, care, and maintenance. All expenses are the responsibility of the student. Veterinary care is the responsibility of the student, when applicable. The project is solely the student’s and, therefore, the student’s responsibility to give appropriate care at all times. Students are expected to ask for assistance and guidance from appropriate Ag Science teachers when needed.

A three strike system will be implemented. Students will receive one written warning, prior to the first strike being issued. If students and parents do not comply with the rules listed in this document (i.e. completing barn duty/cleaning schedule), upon receiving their third written ASIF strike, the student will have to remove their animal within 24 hours. Midway FFA members will be utilizing an eligibility checklist system that will shape duties, clinics, and their ability to show in future years.

Midway FFA members will be utilizing an eligibility checklist system that will shape duties, clinics, and their ability to show in future years.

ASIF ACCESS

For access to the ASIF, each student will be provided with a FOB to be used at the keyless entry gate once this ASIF Contract is signed and facility usage fees are paid. FOBs are linked to the student electronically, will be checked out to students at the beginning of their species show-year, and will be returned at the end of their species show-year, typically by March 1st. If a student loses a FOB, the replacement cost is $10 and should be reported to an Ag Science Teacher immediately. If FOBs are not returned by the March 1st deadline, students will incur a $5 late fee. If facility fees for year-long projects are not paid within two weeks of the payment deadline, FOBs will be deactivated and animals may be removed from the facility by Ag Science Teachers.

FOBs are not to be shared with other students or with anyone not approved by a Midway ISD Ag Science Teacher. Access to the ASIF is granted under the expectation that students and families are respectful to each other, to animals, and to the property. Students are responsible for any activity that takes place at the ASIF under the access granted by their assigned FOB.

FACILITY USAGE FEES AND GUIDELINES

Facility usage fees will be paid in full/upfront before the animal/SAEP (Supervised Agriculture Experience Project) is moved in to the ASIF:

Small Animal Fee Structure (i.e. lambs, pigs, goats, broilers)

• Summer fee: $50/head (beginning the day after school ends-first day of school)

  • Early access summer fee: $25 (March-May)

    • In addition to Summer fee

• School year fee: $100/head or show set of broilers (first day of school-show season)

Cattle Fee Structure

• $200 flat fee/head of show cattle

  • Year-long coverage

  • Renews in March

• $100 flat fee/head of breeding cattle (ONLY pasture access for retired show heifers-maximum of 10 head in pasture)

  • Year-long coverage

  • Renews in March

• $200 flat fee/pen of commercial steers

  • Year-long coverage

  • Renews in March

*One show set of broilers is defined as a group of birds purchased for a specific show.

**One head is defined as one animal (If SAEP is a cow/calf pair on March 1st it is considered 2 head and will be charged separately).

The ASIF may be used for other SAEPs at the discretion of the Ag Science Teachers with a fee to be determined by Ag Science Teachers.

HEIFERS-BREEDING ANIMALS

1. All breeding projects (heifers only) will be monitored by the species specific Ag Science Teacher. Ag Science Teachers are consultants for your project; however, a veterinarian needs to be consulted for health issues.

2. After breeding projects are past their show-age, they will not be permitted in the barn.

3. Students will pay their share of the supplemental pasture feeding and care based on the number of head they have on the pasture. These costs can include, but are not limited to: round bale hay, protein blocks and supplements, vitamin and mineral supplements, range cubes, vaccination products, and other supplies.

4. All non-show breeding projects (i.e. show heifer offspring) must have a record book representing their SAE.

5. Breeding projects for seniors will be removed upon graduation. If animals are not removed within two weeks of the graduation date, FOBs will be deactivated and animals may be removed from the facility by Ag Science Teachers.
   

GENERAL RULES

1. The Ag Science Teachers have the ability to override this contract at any time, and have the authority to remove a student and/or parent from the barn immediately.

2. Only students that are paid Midway FFA members will be allowed to keep their animals in the ASIF. Due to limited space, priority will be granted to Midway FFA members enrolled in an Ag Science course in grades 8-12. Based on availability, pens will then be granted to 7th grade Ag Science students and then to Jr. FFA members. Jr. FFA preference will be granted to those individuals that exhibited an animal previously and had an impeccable record. One pen will be granted per exhibitor (within species) per space availability. Additional animals added to a pen must have prior approval from an Ag Science Teacher.

3. An Ag teacher must be notified at least three business days prior to moving an animal into the facility and all fees must be paid and contracts signed. Student must do due-diligence in communicating with Ag teachers prior to visiting breeders, sales, etc. to ensure they have proper access (i.e. FOBs).

4. All exhibitors housing projects at the Midway Ag Science Facility must enter/exhibit their livestock projects through Midway FFA at MCJLS.

5. All rules within the Midway ISD Student Handbook are enforced at all times at the ASIF.

6. Any student that is placed in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program must remove their animal from the premise. Removal from the facility will be the responsibility of the owner and will begin upon their DAEP start date or the date they receive their second strike via the Extracurricular Behavior Management Plan (EBMP).

7. Any incident deemed animal welfare or cruelty due to action or neglect can be grounds for removal from the ASIF.

8. All medication must be approved prior to administration by an Ag Science Teacher and/or veterinarian (if approved by vet, Ag Science Teacher must be notified).

9. Any animals not covered by this ASIF Contract may be removed from the ASIF at the discretion of the Ag Science Teacher.

10. Dogs and other non-show animals are strictly prohibited at the ASIF without approval.

11. Any non-life-threatening issues requiring police, emergency services, or animal control must be handled by an Ag Science Teacher. Parents and students are not to contact these entities without contacting an Ag Science Teacher first.

12. Pens must be cleaned with all waste removed and dumped in the appropriate assigned location on a regular basis. Wet shavings, excessive waste, etc. and unclean pens will be determined by the Ag Science Teacher and deemed to be cruelty to animals.

13. Students are expected to clean areas around pens, barrels, boxes, aisles, trim chutes, tables and scales after each use.

14. An assigned cleaning/barn duty schedule will be posted in the barn and/or emailed to students and parents. It is the students’ responsibility to fulfill their designated duties on their assigned days. A time-stamped picture must be posted within 48 hours of the assigned duty date to the appropriate location.

15. All students will be assigned a stall/pen by the Ag Science Teachers. Once an animal has been assigned a stall, the animal must remain in that stall except when the animal is being cared for or being exercised.

16. Animals will not be moved from their assigned pen into other pens without the approval of an Ag Science Teacher.

17. When animals are outside the pen or corral, animals will be under control at all times. (example: cattle, sheep, etc. must have halters on, pigs must be next to the exhibitor with a pig stick/whip).

18. All swine will remain in the swine area or walking pens. Swine are not allowed to be in the cattle or sheep/goat areas at any time.

19. Stalls/facilities may not be changed or modified without the approval of the Ag Science Teacher. All equipment or other items must be approved before they are placed at the ASIF. All structures built in the barn must be approved by the Ag Science Teachers and MISD Administration, if necessary. Structures must be freestanding within the student’s stall. (Items not needing approval within a stall include: feed trough, water trough, hay trough, mineral blocks).

20. Any improvements made to the facility/property must first be approved by Ag Science teachers and Midway ISD and subsequently becomes property of Midway ISD and the Ag Science Facility.

21. Any damage done to fences, water lines, or any property in the facility will be repaired at the expense of the person or persons responsible.

22. All electrical cords must be tightly secured to poles.

23. Students are not to enter the stalls of any other student’s animals, unless accompanied by the animal’s owner. Students are responsible for the animal/animals they own. If there is a problem with another student’s animal, contact an Ag Science Teacher.

24. All students with an animal at the ASIF are responsible for all guests’ actions, including the parents of the student.

25. HORSEPLAY is strictly prohibited at the ASIF. This includes playing with ropes, fighting with show sticks, bike riding, climbing on structures, etc.

26. No alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, tobacco, and firearms are allowed at the ASIF. This rule will be enforced for parents and students. No one under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be allowed at the ASIF.

27. Midway ISD trailer and cage usage is prohibited without approval from the Ag Science Teacher. Prior approval is mandated by the district and individuals will be permanently banned from usage of said equipment if approval is not sought. Any Midway ISD trailer usage must be accompanied by a signed trailer usage contract, up-to-date insurance, and driver’s license of the

    intended driver. Written request must be granted prior to use of the cage. Trailer and cage must be returned promptly (next school day after use) and no modifications will be made to either. All damages incurred are the responsibility of the borrowers.

28. The ASIF is closed to all students/parents/guests between the hours of 10:00pm and 5:00am. Special approval from an Ag Science Teacher is required to be present between posted hours.

29. Students and parents are expected to drive responsibly at the barn. Reckless driving will not be tolerated.

30. Mature breeding-age male animals of any species will not be allowed in the ASIF (bulls, rams, billies, boars). Bull calves over the age of 6 months will not be allowed. Boar pigs over the weight of 50 pounds will not be allowed. Rams or billies/bucks over the weight of 75 pounds will not be allowed. Animals must be castrated for market projects or removed from the ASIF.

31. All animals that have passed their project completion date for a specific event have 14 days to be removed from the facility. This may be due to, but not limited to, grade issues, failure to enter a show, missing a show, etc. If animals are intended for a particular event and circumstances prevent that exhibition, then the animal is past its completion date. 

32.  All animals must be removed from the ASIF the Friday before Spring Break. Any animal still remaining at the facility will be issued a strike per day that the animal is on the premises. Failure to comply will result in the removal of your animal. 

    
    All animals that are entered for Houston and Austin will have one week following the date of the show to remove their animal from the ASIF and clean their pen.

33.  Any student removed from the ASIF for strikes will not be eligible to utilize the ASIF for the next school year. 

TRASH

Red trash cans are for trash purposes ONLY. Feed, shavings, feces, etc. SHOULD NOT be dumped into trash cans. Shavings, pen excrement, and swept crusher fine are all to be taken out to the pasture in the appropriate dumping area. Trash will be picked up on scheduled dates and all trash needs to be placed in the trash cans, not next to them.

STORAGE (FEED AND SUPPLIES)

The tan storage barn is to be used for all storage (except cattle – green barn). There will be no boxes or storage for pigs, sheep, or goats within the aisles of the main barn. Approved shelving above the pens is suitable provided students seek approval from an Ag Science Teacher. Feed and supplies should be kept in assigned storage areas enclosed in sealed and LOCKED containers to prevent rodents and theft.

CLIPPER USAGE

1. Clippers can only be checked out at the ASIF from species specific advisor. Written/email requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

2. A $20 CASH deposit and an additional $5 usage fee will be required to check out clippers for personal usage.

3. Clippers will be signed out to an individual and must be returned by the same individual within 3 days of the checkout, otherwise the deposit is forfeited. (If a deposit is forfeited at any time, students must re-submit another deposit in order to check out clippers again.)

4. ANY damage caused to any set of clippers signed to an individual will be fixed at the expense of the individual they were assigned to. Lost or stolen clippers must be replaced by the individual that signed them out at the same cost of the original clippers.

5. All preset clip dates under the supervision of the Ag Science Teacher will not require the stated deposit.