Lowe’s grant funds Agricultural & Culinary Garden for NAHS

This summer, the New Albany School of Career & Technical Education received a $2,125.00 Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant for an Agricultural & Culinary Garden.

Lowe’s awarded the funding during the summer and the school hosted their kick-off project on Wednesday, September 20.

The grant application was based on the goal of establishing raised bed gardens for the purpose of providing educational opportunities for hands-on classroom instruction for the Culinary Arts and Agricultural Sciences programs, as well as providing activities for interest groups during Vision Time.

Grant funds were used to purchase building materials, mulch, and fertilizer to construct the raised beds for the school garden, as well as hoses, tools, plants, and seeds for continual work in the garden.

New Albany FFA members, under the direction of Agricultural Instructor Bert Anderson, were involved in the design and building of the raised bed gardens during the summer.

On September 20, the “Dirt to Dishes” Vision interest group and the “Envirothon” Vision interest group planted their first fall and winter garden, with the assistance of Lowe’s employee Chris Bishop.  The kick-off event was planned by Culinary Instructor Anita Alef.

Alef and Anderson will work together throughout the school year to provide hands-on, real work experiences for their Culinary Arts and Agricultural students.

“Our school and community will greatly benefit from this grant. We wish to thank Lowe’s for generously supporting this important project,” said Lance Evans, Superintendent of New Albany Schools.