Alcovy High School (AHS), Eastside High School (EHS) and Newton College and Career Academy (NCCA) recently were awarded grants through the Grants for Growing program funded by Tractor Supply.  Each of the three chapters volunteered their time to encourage people within the Newton County community to donate money towards the program.

AHS FFA’s grant was written to utilized an unused area in the agricultural classroom and turn it into a student led Floral Enterprise.  This program is through the Floral Design class offered at Alcovy.  Students create industry quality arrangements and this grant will further enhance student opportunities.

EHS FFA’s grant is to incorporate a fruit orchard into the Horticulture class.  Currently, the school has a community garden where students grow several types of produce.  This grant will be used to purchase fruit trees, blueberry bushes, and muscadine vines. The produce that will be produced will be donated to people in the local community.

NCCA FFA’s grant is to purchase a portable saw mill to afford students within the Forestry pathway the opportunity to be exposed to this area of the industry.  This saw mill will allow students the opportunity to process lumber that is harvested within the community.

Tractor Supply has provided more than $3,000 worth of financial support Newton County School System’s (NCSS’s) FFA chapters through this grant and other contributions.