Hiers Wins GFAITC Grant

Liz Baskin of the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (CFAITC) recently notified Brooks County Middle School teacher Christine Hiers that she was the winner of a grant from the GFAITC. Mrs. Hiers’ project was one of only 22 projects selected by the judging team. The judging team selected applications that spanned all grade levels, subject areas, and unique projects that will creatively enhance organic agriculture for the students.   Mrs. Hiers will use Look at Agriculture…Organically! grant funds to complete the project entitled, “Composting”. This project will introduce students to composting. By using scraps collected from around the school, students will begin to understand how nature breaks down these items in order for them to be reused as a natural fertilizer for our food. This grant will allow students to look at three ways to compost: composting bin, worms (worm bin), and chickens (deep litter method). Students will be taught why we compost and the benefits of composting. Through this project, they will then be able to apply their knowledge as they use the composted material in the school garden. The funding for this project will provide the finishing touches to our compost area to ensure our students fully understand the reasons and techniques for composting.