Issue link: http://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/600597
W 12 With a population of 321 Million, the U.S. has a "whole lotta hungry people" to feed. One solution to the tremendous need, Jennifer Crutchfield believes, lies in sustainability and ensuring there are commodities to feed the nation. That's why this Brookwood High School teacher applied for the Alabama Power Foundation's Students To Stewards educational grant. In 2014, Crutchfield received $7,500 to create an outdoor classroom to grow plants in a sustainable garden. Brookwood is among Alabama's few high schools that include agriculture as part of career technology. Crutchfield was thrilled to receive a grant in Students to Stewards' inaugural year. Crutchfield, an agriculture education teacher at the Tuscaloosa school for 11 years, is excited to see a dream come to fruition. After several false starts – construction was rained out three times – students and volunteers for Alabama Power Service Organization's Western Division Chapter helped build a raised, wooden teaching platform, an area in which to grow plants and 12 wooden benches. "Now, we're using our new outdoor classroom multiple times a week, often every day," said an excited 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 have planted nine raised beds with rotation 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 volunteers who assisted with the daylong project, APSO was fortunate to recruit Anthony Williams, maintenance technician - Western Division Office. With several years' experience as a general contractor, Williams New outdoor classroom benefiting Brookwood High agricultural students STORy By dONNA COPE PHOTO By WyNTER ByRd