The Franklin County High School agriculture program is planning a vertical farm in a newly constructed greenhouse on campus. To help fund the initiative, the Kentucky FFA Foundation awarded an Ag Achiever grant.
Set to open in the fall, the greenhouse will be dedicated to growing fruits and vegetables vertically, which is especially popular in urban areas where open land is limited.
According to agriculture teachers Kylen Douglas and Fallon Jackson, the produce from the vertical farm will be donated to the school’s lunch program and distributed to students in need over the summer months. Students will lead the project and be responsible for maintenance on the farm, as well as growing and harvesting the crops.