Photo: Cadence Guinn, Hollow Rock-Bruceton FFA Sentinel, tending to the raised garden beds.
By Ansley Hollingsworth
As the 2024-2025 school year begins, teachers and students all across Carroll County are beginning to prepare for upcoming events and experiences. One school in particular was recently privileged with a grant from the National Future Farmers of America organization, or FFA. Earlier in the summer, agriculture teacher Michael Stanford applied for the Living to Serve Grant to help Hollow Rock-Bruceton FFA in future activities.
The Living to Serve Grant is a grant provided to schools by the FFA to help fund service projects and community activities. To apply for the grant, applicants had to identify a community need that was linked to one of the four focus areas: community service; hunger, health, and nutrition; environmental responsibility; and community engagement.
On August 1st, Stanford was notified that Hollow Rock-Bruceton had been one of three schools chosen for the generous grant. This grant will provide the chapter with $3,000 in funds, and the Hollow Rock-Bruceton FFA chapter plans to finish up courtyard renovations to enhance the raised garden beds and continue to build an outdoor classroom that all students can use. Follow the Hollow Rock-Bruceton FFA page for more information on the new agriculture program on the hill.