• KYSU helped Russellville High School build two aquaponics systems for hands-on learning.
• Russellville High School serves as a pilot site for a USDA grant project that hopes to create experiential learning opportunities in agriculture.
• The school has created a new course in aquaponics following the popularity of the systems. “We want an agriculture program, but we just can’t afford one.” Faculty and staff of the Kentucky State University (KYSU) Land Grant Program hear this from K-12 schools across the state, which has led us to partner with several programs in Kentucky to help bridge the gap between agriculture and the classroom. Russellville High School in Logan County is one school that hoped to integrate agriculture into its curriculum. In 2017, a conversation between Russellville High School teacher Chris Holloman, Dr.

“We want an agriculture program, but we just can’t afford one.” Faculty and staff of the Kentucky State University (KYSU) Land Grant Program hear this from K-12 schools across the state, which has led us to partner with several programs in Kentucky to help bridge the gap between agriculture and the classroom. Russellville High School in Logan County is one school that hoped to integrate agriculture into its curriculum. In 2017, a conversation between Russellville High School teacher Chris Holloman, Dr.

Nancy Dawson, the director of the Russellville Urban Garden Project, and KYSU Extension Associate Mason Crawford sparked an idea that helped make this wish a reality.

Russellville High had a small dilapidated greenhouse that was being underutilized, but Crawford knew it could be converted into a fully functional aquaponics production system with a little work. However, the school lacked the funding needed to build a new system. Crawford and KYSU Extension stepped in and began to scavenge for used parts and pieces that could be used to bring the vision for agriculture in the classroom to reality. With the guidance of KYSU Research Associate Janelle Hager, Crawford found all of the pieces needed to build an indoor aquaponics system. Crawford worked with Holloman, who teaches visual art at the high school, through the summer to refurbish the school's greenhouse and to install the new aquaponics system. The aquaponics system was fully installed in Summer 2017, and students from all different disciplines began using the system.

the funding needed to build a new system. Crawford and KYSU Extension stepped in and began to scavenge for used parts and pieces that could be used to bring the vision for agriculture in the classroom to reality. With the guidance of KYSU Research Associate Janelle Hager, Crawford found all of the pieces needed to build an indoor aquaponics system. Crawford worked with

Holloman, who teaches visual art at the high school, through the summer to refurbish the school's greenhouse and to install the new aquaponics system. The aquaponics system was fully installed in Summer 2017, and students from all different disciplines began using the system.

Crawford wanted to build on the success of this new

AgKnowledge | 2019

AgKnowledge | 2019