Monday, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture announced the hiring of Kimberly Barkman as Agricultural Education Program Manager. Barkman will serve as a liaison between ISDA and the Indiana Department of Education, and schools with an agriculture program.
“We are pleased to name Kim as our very first Agricultural Education Program Manager,” said Bruce Kettler, ISDA Director. “Her passion for students and almost decade long career in agricultural education has prepared her well for this position. We’re excited to welcome her to the team.”
Barkman grew up on a tobacco farm in Switzerland County. She participated in 4-H and served as the 2003 District 12 FFA President. In 2007, she graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education.
Prior to joining the department, Barkman was an agricultural education teacher at Triton Central for two years and then taught at Beech Grove City Schools for six years.
“ISDA historically has been connected to agricultural education and leadership development,” said Rob Hays, Indiana FFA Director. “By creating this new position and bringing Kim on board, we are excited to strengthen our support of classroom teachers and agriculture offerings, along with supporting FFA efforts.”
In her new role, Barkman will be responsible for supporting course framework and agriculture-based Career and Technology Education curriculum in schools across the state. She will also interpret education policies and review state standards as it relates to agriculture.
A large part of her job will be serving as a resource and liaison for Indiana’s agricultural education teachers to strengthen their programming.
“I’m excited to be a voice and advocate for agricultural education in Indiana,” Barkman said. “I look forward to having a larger impact by supporting school districts and teachers across the state.”
Barkman currently resides in Indianapolis with her husband, Nicholas.
Visit www.isda.in.gov to learn more about ISDA.