BELOIT – The West Branch Local School District will receive a financial boost for its agricultural and career tech programs this year.

The district is one of five schools in the state to receive the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Farm to School Grant and one of just 11 to receive the Equity for Each Grant from the U.S. Department of Education and Ohio Department of Education.

According to a press release issued by the district, the grants will “provide essential resources to foster innovation and promote academic excellence” at West Branch and were awarded based on the district’s “dedication to its students’ success and the impact it aims to make on the wider community.”

USDA Farm to School Grant

The district has received a $34,259 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to purchase Flex Farms indoor hydroponic garden units. The units will give students the opportunity to plant, grow and harvest crops in the school cafeteria.

The grant comes from the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program. The program awards, on an annual basis, grants that support planning, developing and implementing farm to school programs. Farm to school gives students the opportunity to learn about nutrition and agriculture through hands on experiences, such as planting, watering, and harvesting fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Since the grant program’s inception in 2013, the USDA has awarded $75 million through Farm to School Grants across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico, which have reached over 25 million students in more than 59,000 schools.

Fork Farms (the maker of the Flex Farm units) started in 2010 in New York City. Originally started as an independent contractor, building rooftop gardens, Fork Farms has transformed into a global organization that has been involved in over 1,000 Flex Farm installations across the United States and globally. Fork Farms indoor hydroponic farming technology provides students with the tools to grow an abundance of sustainable, fresh food. Students will work through a curriculum to grow and serve fresh food in our school cafeterias.

Equity for Each Grant

The district was awarded $150,000 by the U.S. Department of Education and Ohio Department of Education for the purchase of equipment for the new career tech Industrial Maintenance Program. The award comes from the Equity for Each Grant.

The new industrial maintenance program will have four main courses: Manufacturing Operations, Welding, Industrial Maintenance and Hydraulics and Pneumatics. Items purchased for the program include welders, welding simulators, welding screens and welding booths along with safety equipment such as helmets, gloves, jackets, etc. for students to wear.

The Equity in Each grant helps schools on improving equitable access, engagement, and outcomes for all career-technical education students.