This North Carolina Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) project uses community gardening to: empower communities to produce food for families, deliver hands-on nutrition education, create opportunities for youth to develop agri-related business skills, build leadership among community members, and provide engaging activities for family members of all ages to work together for a common purpose.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Scotland County High School Connects Agriculture & Culinary Art

       It started with a donation of an old high tunnel structure and an idea to bring agriculture curriculum back in Scotland County High School. It ended with a generous donation by Richmond Community College, a new agriculture teacher at Scotland County High School, a reconstructed high tunnel that looks like new, a plan to guide students in growing produce (in ground and also using hydroponics) that will be used to supply the school's Bagpiper Restaurant, and a town brought together in excitement for the new project and its exciting possibilities for students.

Sharon English speaks at dedication ceremony - March 10, 2011

     On Thursday March 10, 2011 a dedication ceremony marked the beginning of what is sure to be a positive collaboration between Scotland County High School, Richmond Community College and Cooperative Extension. Those who have been most influential in bringing this idea to fruition are:

  • Melissa Tomas (Wagram Community Garden Coordinator)
  • Sharon English (Scotland County Extension Agent)
  • Chef Dibble (Chef and Culinary Teacher at Scotland County High School)
  • Steve Smith (Richmond Community College representatives)
  • Amanda Dixon (District Grant Writer)
  • Fred Thomas (curriculum development)
  • Bill Carmichael (farmer who donated high tunnel)
  • Roger Ammons and staff (maintenance staff in charge of assembling high tunnel)
  • Rickie Holness (Extension Associate, A&T State University)
  • Farm Bureau and Carolina Farm Credit

     
      This project is connected to the NC CYFAR Sustainable Community Project and the Wagram Community Garden through the garden coordinator, Melissa Tomas. It is one take on the youth agri-entrepreneurship project promoted by the CYFAR project in which students will learn the steps of creating a small business using garden produce as the commodity. In this case, the business is the school's Bagpiper Restaurant where some students are already working. Through an integrated, hands-on program, students will learn how this commodity goes from seed to table and what it takes to make a business profitable and sustainable.

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