MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The Future Farmers of America chapter at Oak Hill Middle School is growing some goodies in its garden.
If you're a fan of fresh produce from the farmer's market, get ready to eat some eggs and vegetables grown on the school's grounds.
Now that their FFA chapter received $8,000 in grants, they're investing that money to grow plants and raise some hens.
Inside the Oak Hill Coop, some agriculture students and future farmers are growing baby chicks.
"I like doing this in my free time," eighth-grader Amelia Tanner said. "The animals make me happy."
Tanner is the president of her school's FFA chapter.
She and Nicholas Kelly say they've been in the school's chapter since they were in sixth grade.
While the students enjoy harvesting their garden's bounty, they're also learning sustainable, survival and social intelligence skills.
Kelley explained he and his classmates are cutting down dried cornstalks "because we're donating them for our fall decorations."
He said he knows it's important to grow vegetables so that nutritious meals are available in the community.
Agriculture teacher and FFA club advisor Sharon Reeves is an expert in her field, "and she takes what she does into heart," according to Kelley.
To ensure her chapter thrives, she applies for grants to keep the program funded.
The "Grants for Growing" grant is worth $5,000; it's meant to establish and grow different avenues of agriculture, Reeves explained. That's why they're going to start growing lettuce hydroponically this school year.
According to the school, it will help "engage plant science students in hands-on learning by producing vegetables hydroponically. The harvested produce will be sold to the local community, and the proceeds will be used to purchase additional vegetable supplies to sustain the project."
The "Living to Serve Grant" is meant to help the farmers serve their community.
In addition, the vegetables they'll have at the farmer's market in Milledgeville, they're also raising hens.
"We're going to distribute the eggs they produce to the community," Reeves said.
Not only do the students say they enjoy having fun doing outdoor activities in the club, but they also feel like they're learning skills that will last a lifetime.
"I like being here because I like interacting with different types of plants, and chicken, and stuff, but I also really like Ms. Reeves," eighth grader Jamari Steele said. "She's such a nice lady; she does such a nice job teaching us about plants and stuff."
Congratulations to 13WMAZ's School of the Week: Oak Hill Middle School.
If you want to feature your school, email us at News@13WMAZ.com