KENTUCKY – School officials for the Kentucky School for the Deaf in Danville have decided to make use of the 23 acres of land to build a garden and research center for the schools campus.

According to Sandra Smock, Agriculture Instructor and FFA Advisor, the school has a five-year-old KSD Agricultural (AG-ED) Education program. The school also has a FFA chapter which is the second Deaf FFA chapter in the nation; the other being the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind (WVSDB). These programs are offered as elective classes, which can count toward graduation credits. The AG-ED program is one of several programs offered to students at the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department, located on campus; it offers three career pathways to students: Horticulture, Animal Science and AG Power.

Each program at the Kentucky School for the Deaf focuses on helping students obtain knowledge and develop technical skills for agricultural jobs. Canyon News spoke to Sandy Smock, who indicated that the school incorporates math and reading as well, in order to offer a “natural transition into entry level college or career options.” Smock confirmed that the school encompasses 23 acres and that they plan to offer real world hands on plant and animal experiences with the building of the garden and Research

Center.

She revealed that the groundbreaking ceremony for the project started on April 18, which has already planted 200 lbs of Kennebec potatoes. The school plans to plant five acres of sweet corn in order to be a participant in the 2014 FFA: Food For ALL grant, which addresses hunger on the local level.  The FFA and KSD plan to donate some of the sweet corn to KSD parents/parents, the school cafeteria and local food banks to fight hunger, beginning at home.  

The school hopes to plant tomatoes, peppers, onions, squash and zucchini. Many of Smock’s own students have taken part in this event, which she commented that many of the students “have never had an opportunity to work with the land in any kind of food production.  The response thus far has been very positive.  In just two weeks there have been several times the students have asked to leave our classroom and go work in the garden on the farm. To see them this excited over plants… I can only imagine there increased interest and enjoyment when we finally have a small pasture fenced off and we are working with a few calves, sheep or miniature horses.  They will really become ‘aggies’ then.” Aggies are individuals who enjoy and support agricultural activities.

KSD sophomore and Vice-President Bethany Yance informed Canyon News “I am really excited to see the field full of plants. It’s a dream becoming reality! I am most excited that I can work on it for other 2 years. Ever since I joined FFA, I begged Ms. Sandy Smock to set up the gardens of vegetables in the fields. We have both worked together to achieve the dream. Our FFA members share the same dream. The farm gives us hope for the future, that the future will be better. Also, we can help feed other people in our city.

Every town has people hungry for food; therefore, we hope we can make a dent on feeding some of those people. We have a brand new tractor for the field, and we plan on using it for the plants. I hope someday, we will be able to take care of animals in the field and build a small outdoor classroom for the teachers and students.   That’s why we have KSD FFA!” For more information you can contact Sandy Smock via email at sandra.smock@ksd.kyschools.us.