POWERGRAMS

Food for Thought In a land of plenty, many Americans aren't sure where they'll find their next meal. Jennifer Crutchfield believes in teaching sustainability to ensure there are sufficient commodities to feed the hungry. In 2014, the Brookwood High School teacher won a $7,500 Alabama Power Foundation Students To Stewards grant to build an outdoor classroom and sustainable garden. Crutchfield, an agriculture education teacher at the Tuscaloosa school for 11 years, was excited to see her dream come to fruition recently. Her students and volunteers from Alabama Power Service Organization's Western Division Chapter helped build a wooden teaching platform, 12 benches and an area in which to grow plants. "Now, we're using our new outdoor classroom multiple times a week, often every day," said Crutchfield. "I went out today with one of my classes, and I was training them to propagate the plants. We're growing vegetables, and we're studying how to manage erosion." Students planted nine raised beds with crops including strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and muscadines. Crutchfield, who earned a bachelor's degree in education at the University of Illinois, said her goal is to bring agricultural expertise to her students. "I want my students to know that agriculture can give you a job and it can provide a good living," she said. "We try to apply hands- on applications for growing plants, for food and for horticultural needs. We teach them how to safely use wheelbarrows and other equipment. Pretty much all of my students will need to use equipment to be college-ready. This class covers a multitude of careers and opportunities for students." Among APSO volunteers was Anthony Williams, maintenance technician - Western Division Office. Having several years' experience as a general contractor, Williams brought along his 17-year-old son, Drew, for the daylong project. They met with Crutchfield to check blueprints and discuss preliminary work, including clearing the site of weeds and debris. "With the help of several students, we completed preliminary layout of the site before construction," Williams said. "The students worked alongside APSO volunteers, completing much of the work themselves." Agricultural students worked from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with APSO members Curry Bennett, Joseph Brown, Mark Crews, Drew Downs, Carlette Durham, Carlos Gonzalez, Bryan Giles, Josh Hodges, Justin Rigsby and Anna Catherine Roberson. APSO volunteers removed invasive plants and showed students safe ways to use tools. Under the watchful eyes of their teacher and volunteers, the students helped build the platform, dug postholes for benches and cemented bench posts into the ground. "It was a great chance for our volunteers to work and interact with students, and do hands-on work," said project coordinator Roberson, whose team totaled 85 volunteer hours. The outdoor classroom will have far-reaching effects on the school's 250 agricultural students as well as the state, said Crews, Western Division vice president. "This project presented a unique opportunity for us to not only work hand in hand with students to build something they can be proud of and use for many years to come, but to also teach them to appreciate the value of being a good steward of our environment," Crews said. "These students are our future workforce, and it is classes like this one at Brookwood High School that will prepare them for whatever path they choose to follow." Crutchfield said she appreciates the help of APSO members and the Alabama Power Foundation in making the outdoor classroom and garden a reality. "We can't stand alone as educators," Crutchfield said. "To do what we do, it takes the community and business partners such as Alabama Power and other like-minded community members who invest in students." By Donna Cope EDUCATION 7 GARDEN CL ASSROOM NEW SOURCE OF CROPS AND SUSTAINABILITY Faculty and students at Brookwood High School got help from APSO to build garden. Photo by Wynter Byrd

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