The local food movement is essential to addressing food insecurity issues in Kentucky.  One innovative method of integrating a real world issue into the realm of agricultural education lies in the use of Aquaponics.  To that end, a $10,000 demonstration grant was secured to place two aquaculture systems that include hydroponics attachments at the Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center in Hardinsburg.  The scope of this demonstration project is multi-faceted.  Phase I will involve the construction of a nearly 1000 gallons of recirculating aquaponics systems to be placed in a greenhouse style atrium attached to the main assembly auditorium.  One commercially available model is  similar to a system placed at Russellville Independent High School.  The aforementioned system and ongoing project was featured in the 2019 edition of Ag Knowledge magazine.  The second system is of a do-it-yourself design and will be composed of a series of IBC totes.  Subsequently, it can be modeled by other DIY'ers who are looking for a more affordable production technique.  Fish in these two respective demonstration systems will provide nutrients through a waste biofiltration process to nourish edible plants in a variety of hydroponic production techniques.  Additionally, an innovative form of hydroponics known as vertical aeroponics and various other container gardening approaches will be included to model what home owners and limited resource farmers can affordably implement.  Gutter and pallet gardening of herbs will model projects already being demonstrated at the Capital City Senior Center and Anderson County Senior Center as a part of the Healthy Foods Expo and ongoing work by the Nutrition team.  

Phase II involves harvesting the crops, mostly leafy vegetables but also some fruiting ones, and integrating them into the FFA Camp’s summer meal program.  This component fits well with our NIFA objectives of promoting food security through the use of locally sourced foodstuffs.  It also models the farm to school initiative that is gaining in acceptance among the more innovative school systems around Kentucky and the country as a whole.  Phase III involves an education component.  This could include special addresses at the camp assemblies or even the creation of a custom special interest course in coming years to be offered to the youth attending the camp each summer.  Having had zero presence at the FFA Leadership Training Center, Kentucky State University has a tremendous opportunity to forge a strong working partnership moving forward.  Various areas of study in the College of Agriculture, Communities and Environment can be included in this component that will focus on sustainable and innovative approaches to food production. 

Extension involvement will include educating students and advisors alike on the policies and guidelines that are required to supply schools as well as how to educate food service directors on the benefits of fresh local products.  Some students may even initiate aquaponic or more traditional production techniques to become farm to school suppliers of produce as part of their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Program.  More than 1500 of the best Agricultural Education and other Career and Technical Education students will receive exposure each year.  The students that attend FFA Camp are the future leaders of their communities and some will take on this mantle of farmer.  Whether that be contributing in a school greenhouse, working for an established farmer, becoming the much heralded weekend warrior or even the rare full time self-employed agriculturist, being exposed to what this demonstration site has to offer is vital and relevant.  Locally sourced food often bring a premium and the industry is just starting to tap into its potential.  Schools will become greater purchasers of products grown by small farmers. This demonstration site, by modeling the farm to school movement, will serve as an outreach model for Kentucky State University.