Arizona online schools offer Future Farmers of America chapter
Jul 24, 2026
Students who learn online can now participate in hands-on agricultural education through new FFA program
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A new program is making sure students who learn online don’t miss out on hands-on activities.
For student Elora Osmundson, that means learning how to keep a chicken alive and dissecting a cow.
She chose online school because her mother, Tara Osmundson, said Elora was bullied in elementary school.
“I was trying to reach out to the administrators, saying, ‘Hey, she keeps getting bullied, she keeps getting bullied, for really ridiculous things,’ and they weren’t doing anything to address the problem or the behavior of the other students,” Tara Osmundson said.
The family also moves around a lot, making it hard for Elora to form lasting friendships.
“For me to really realize how lonely I was back then, I really have to put it into perspective of how I am now with my amazing friend group,” Elora said.
She found that friend group through Future Farmers of America. Agriscience instructor Maya Wallace offers the online chapter.
“My students are all over and whatnot, but each of them is coming with a different experience and lifestyle that online works for them,” Wallace said.
It’s a new program through Arizona Virtual Academy and Insight Academy of Arizona that are free online schools.
Wallace teaches about 200 students. Students take online classes and meet in person for hands-on workshops.
“They’re not only learning the agriscience skills and everything, but they’re also learning about professional skill standards as well,” Wallace said.
One of Elora’s favorite projects was dissecting a cow with her friends.
“It did not smell very good, it was definitely pretty gross, but it was that weird morbid curiosity I’d say of, it was gross but also pretty amazing,” Elora said.
Elora is fascinated by biology. Online school puts it at her fingertips.
New students can enroll in Arizona Virtual Academy anytime throughout the year and then explore the FFA and agriscience programs. You must be either an AZVA or Insight Academy student to enroll in FFA online.