Mitchell L. Davis and Tanya R. Ledford

The expansion of Polk County High School's existing farm is the catalyst behind Davis and Ledford's project. The "Agriculture for Everyone/Farm Project" is a unique opportunity for students, staff, family and community members to work together to create a more 'modern' farm where basic, traditional agriculture and horticulture practices can be taught along with more advanced technology. Overall, this project will teach students about basic farming and how farmers can implement new technologies and water conservation to help the environment and become better stewards of the land. With an increased level of funding, students will experiment with lighting and feeds to create different fertilizer from chickens, learn the business of selling eggs to the local farmer's market and place rainwater cisterns next to the barn to provide the irrigation needed for newly-created vegetable plots. The objective of the program is to enhance the farm behind Polk County High School and to cultivate student appreciation for agriculture. Davis and Ledford's plan would include building of outside hutches with electricity, purchasing irrigation materials and installing windmill and solar panels to provide the irrigation needed for the vegetable plots. Davis resides in Mills Spring. Ledford lives in Mills River.