Dayton Chronicle - Your Hometown News Source

DAYTON–Stationed by the owl for the Dayton FFA is new Chapter Advisor Jennifer Crane.

Crane comes to Dayton from East Wenatchee where she taught basic introductory ag classes for about five and a half years, to 8th and 9th graders.

She was born and raised in the Yakima Valley's heavily agricultural Sunnyside, on her family's hobby farm with ties to the dairy industry. After graduating from Sunnyside High School in 2010, she attended Washington State University, earning a degree in Ag Education.

As a youth, Crane showed swine as a 4-H member for about six years, and transitioned into FFA in high school, showing swine and sheep in the purple jacket.

"I've got more of a background in animals than in crops," Crane said, "and I also worked on a hop farm that also produced apples, grapes and raspberries."

It was valuable experience, she added, giving her exposure to plant science.

"Those crops are all gone now due to the exploding craft-beer demand for hops," she said.

She also was employed at a pumpkin enterprise in Mabton, where she gained experience in agritourism. She was a "jill of all trades" and also employed her interest in photography.

"Photography is my other passion," she said.

At D.H.S., Crane's high school and middle school charges will get exposure to animal, plant and veterinary science, plus online courses.

She is certificated in these subject areas and is able to teach other teachers.