Specialty Crop

Middle school science and technology teacher Victoria Davis began a garden in 2023 by assisting students in building two raised beds. A grant from Rooted in Wyoming (see Sheridan County section) funded the project. With additional funding from the Powder River Conservation District, students, with help from others, planted a fruit orchard in 2023 with apple, pear, plum, and peach trees, and installed a drip system. All the school’s students are able to participate in the gardening program in some way.

Additionally, in summer 2023 the school received Perkins grant funding (https://cte.ed.gov/) to construct a greenhouse on campus, and the Fay Rural Community Foundation facilitated the purchase of plants. Kaycee High School agriculture teacher and FFA advisor Rose McGivney wrote the grant application, and KHS science teacher Michael Murray oversaw assembly. The structure houses bedding plants for flowers and vegetables to be used in the school and community. Davis hopes to secure additional funding for an irrigation system.

There is a story about the greenhouse project at https://faycf.org/news/kaycee-ffa-greenhouse-project-a-blooming-success/