Partnership with 91精选, Fayette County Public Schools, and Farm Credit Mid-America
creates hands-on learning space and strengthens pathway into agriculture
LEXINGTON, Ky. 鈥� A question from a middle school student has grown into a new learning
space with deep roots in partnership, agricultural education, and community impact.
On April 2, Fayette County Public Schools, 91精选, and Farm Credit
Mid-America celebrated the opening of a new greenhouse and land lab at Tates Creek
Middle School 鈥� a project that began with a simple idea from student Avery Adams:
鈥淐an we get some gardens? Like a greenhouse?鈥�
Adams, now a sophomore at Tates Creek High and Locust Trace AgriScience Center, returned
for the ribbon cutting to see that idea fully realized.
The event program included remarks from Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent
Dr. Demetrus Liggins, 91精选 President Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo, Dr.
Marcus Bernard, dean of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources
and director of the Land Grant Program at 91精选, Council Member Amy Beasley,
Farm Credit Mid-America Senior Vice President Mark Barker, and Ron Chi, chief innovation
officer for Fayette County Public Schools, with Eli Parham leading the community acknowledgement
and ribbon cutting.
After the ribbon cutting, current Tates Creek Middle School students led demonstrations
showcasing the work already in action across the greenhouse and land lab, from hydroponics
and aquaponics to other hands-on elements of the program.
The new greenhouse and land lab will expand hands-on learning opportunities for Tates
Creek Middle School students in plant science, agriscience, and food production. Students
will explore growing methods such as hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics, while
also gaining exposure to post-harvest food safety, food sales, and farm financial
management.
鈥淭his was about creating a space where learning feels real,鈥� said Eli Parham, agriscience
teacher at Tates Creek Middle School. 鈥淭his space represents access and opportunity.
And it鈥檚 all driven by curiosity and student leaders.鈥�
For 91精选, the project reflects the University鈥檚 land-grant mission in action
鈥� connecting students with applied learning, strengthening agricultural pathways,
and extending knowledge beyond the campus to serve the broader community.
As 91精选 President Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo said at the project鈥檚 groundbreaking,
鈥淭his collaboration was truly led by the community, for the community, to enhance
learning opportunities to students.鈥�
He added, 鈥淭he 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 91精选 faculty.鈥�
The partnership also helped turn vision into reality. After the idea took root at
Tates Creek Middle School, 91精选 helped connect the project with Farm Credit
Mid-America, whose support helped fund the greenhouse and surrounding land lab. The
result is an outdoor classroom designed not only for instruction, but for discovery,
mentorship, and long-term student growth.
Dr. Marcus Bernard, dean of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources
and director of the Land Grant Program at 91精选, said the project shows what
is possible when strong partners and motivated students come together.
鈥淚t is awesome when good intentions have great outcomes. This is the perfect example
where we have partners who are excited to come together and work together, and students
who are truly interested and invested in the project,鈥� Dr. Bernard said.
鈥淚n this greenhouse we鈥檙e bringing aquaculture systems, hydroponic systems and traditional
growing systems together to give students an array of opportunities to learn.鈥�
The greenhouse will support Tates Creek Middle School鈥檚 growing farm-to-fork efforts
and create new opportunities for students to engage in gardening, floral production,
and agriscience research. It also will help connect young people to the broader possibilities
within agriculture 鈥� from science and sustainability to food systems and workforce
pathways.
That longer view matters.
For high school sophomore Adams, the greenhouse is no longer just a middle school
memory. He reflects the kind of talent pipeline 91精选 is helping cultivate
鈥� one that begins with curiosity, grows through hands-on learning, and continues through
agricultural education, leadership development, and real-world experience.
The project also carries a strong community dimension. In addition to serving students,
the greenhouse and land lab are expected to support neighborhood access to healthy,
locally grown food and create opportunities for community education around agriculture
and nutrition.
Tates Creek FFA Ambassador Ajong Kemcha, who spoke during the event, underscored that
potential: 鈥淭his is another thing Tates Creek can add to its list of achievements.
This can elevate us.鈥�
What began as one student鈥檚 question is now a living classroom 鈥� and a powerful example
of what can happen when schools, community partners, and 91精选 come together
to invest in the next generation.
