BELOIT — West Branch Superintendent Micki Egli offered insight into the coming changes to the district’s work-based farm-to-table learning program.

Egli announced that the district had received a $40,000 Grow Ohio Grant to expand the program in the board of education’s July meeting, and that the grant funding would contribute toward the construction costs of a new barn on campus to house livestock for the program’s new animal husbandry component. Egli said that this new element would be focused on the standards taught to students “in their animal and plant science courses.”

Egli also said that since the program would be housing live animals on campus, the following would “be of utmost importance:” the development and implementation of a balanced feeding plan; ensuring the animals have access to clean fresh water at all times; that the animal’s stalls, bedding areas, and feeding equipment were regularly and properly cleaned; the animals regularly receive veterinary checkups to monitor the animal’s health and ensure they receive proper vaccinations; and that detailed records are kept of feed intake, weight gain, medications, and any other relevant information for each animal,

The program makes use of approximately 3 acres of unused land behind the football and baseball stadiums that have been allotted to the Vocational Agriculture Program, which has previously been used to plant and harvest crops; however, Egli said that as costs began to exceed profits the students and the vocational agriculture teacher proposed using the land to raise and sell livestock “after researching costs and speaking with contractors” in groups of five to seven.

“We have found in recent years that the costs of putting the crops in have outweighed the profit the program received. The vocational agriculture teacher and students proposed utilizing the vacant land to raise animals to sell to the school cafeteria to be utilized in the kitchens,” said Egli.

Egli said that the plan this year was to work the ground and plant grass seed in the fall while a fence was installed, and that while currently she did not expect the district to “have animals on site for a year… that may change if funding sources become available for the actual barn.”

Egli said that when the district is ready to bring live animals on site, they would be feeder cattle, and that raising beef cattle within an educational system offered students an opportunity to gain a unique and deeper understanding and appreciation of the food they eat as well as hands-on experience in several class subjects.

“Raising beef in a school system provides a unique opportunity to connect students to their food source while offering practical educational benefits. Students can learn about animal husbandry, sustainable agriculture, and food science firsthand, while providing the school kitchens with fresh, high-quality meat, promoting healthy eating and reducing food waste,” said Egli. “This hands-on experience fosters a deeper appreciation for where food comes from and encourages responsible consumption.”

The district will also be looking to expand its existing crop production through its existing hydroponic gardens. Originally purchased using $34,259 in grant funding awarded from the United States Department of Agriculture Farm to School Grant in July 2023, the Flex Farms indoor hydroponic garden units have allowed students to plant, grow and harvest crops in the school’s cafeteria, which were then incorporated into the school meal planning.

“Last year was our first year utilizing them and we had a great deal of trial and error. We have learned from the mistakes and plan to have these up and running at a greater production,” said Egli.

mahart@mojonews.com