The Medora Community Schools agriculture department is ready to take the next step to grow its program.
In just the second year of the department’s existence at the school, ag teacher and FFA adviser Ashley Shoemaker said her students have put in the work to add a Grow Lab and a greenhouse across the street from the school.
The mission is to enrich the agriculture curriculum, support project-based and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning and promote good nutrition and environmental stewardship.
Superintendent Roger Bane said the greenhouse will cost around $10,000. After talking to a couple of major corporations, he said he has a feeling almost all of it will be funded.
The fencing will cost around $3,500, grow boxes will be nearly $1,500 and stone is $350, and he is working on getting quotes for labor and installing electricity. The town council also may allow the school to install water access at no cost.
Sophomore Kenley King, president of the Medora FFA chapter, said the idea is to have students grow vegetables in the garden and donate them to Starr and her staff to cook and serve at lunch.
Senior Keyla Newby said the garden will include strawberries, tomatoes, bell peppers, green beans, cucumbers, cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, carrots, potatoes and squash.