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Kentucky State University (KSU) and Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) held a groundbreaking ceremony at Tates Creek Middle School in Lexington, KY for a greenhouse that will serve as an Outdoor Classroom for the community. This marks the beginning of major collaborations between community partners to provide enhanced agricultural education to local students that will include a dynamic mixture of classes and hands-on training. The milestone event took place on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at Tates Creek Middle School.

“This collaboration was truly led by the community, for the community, to enhance learning opportunities to students. Student Ag Ambassadors of Tates Creek Middle School played a major role in envisioning the future of this Outdoor Classroom, testifying to the truly collaborative spirit of the project,” said KSU President, Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo. “The Outdoor Classroom poses an exciting opportunity for students from Tates Creek Middle School to learn the best agricultural practices both in theory and through hands-on practice led by our distinguished KSU faculty.”

The greenhouse for the Outdoor Classroom was made possible through a grant awarded by the Farm Credit Mid-America (FCMA) to provide a site for students to experience classroom-type lectures and practical farming activities. Students will learn a variety of methods such as hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics, which have been shown to be some of the most productive avenues of food production in the world. In addition, students will receive hands-on training on topics such as post-harvest safe-handling of food, sales of food, and farm financial management.

“Teaching children the importance of agricultural sustainability is essential in today’s marketplace and FCPS is committed to keeping our scholars on the leading edge of understanding the local, national, and global economic impact of this basic, yet essential need. We look forward to this partnership with KSU and how it will help us guide learning and develop independence for our students into the future,” said Dr. Demetrus Liggins, FCPS Superintendent.

Kentucky State University is an equal opportunity provider.