Cooperative Living June 2023 - 9

The 6-acre Isle of Wight
County Agricultural Land
Lab offers a broad range
of hands-on farm activities
to students.
FARMLIFE
Land Labs
Convert
Classrooms
into Farms
by Alice Kemp and Nicole Zema,
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
Virginia students are hands-on
when it comes to agriculture
O
n a typical day at Virginia's school land labs, students
are busy weighing pigs, growing vegetables, fixing
fences and installing irrigation systems.
" That's routine for high schoolers enrolled in agriculture
classes, " says Daniel Judkins, farmmanager for the 6-acre Isle
ofWight County Agricultural Land Lab.Judkins and
agriculture teacher Jason Brittle oversee the farm and share
their knowledge with students.
An impressive red barn stands out against
the rural landscape. The farm is almost entirely
student-built and student-run.
" They're in charge ofeverything that happens
on the farm every day, " Judkins notes.
Students raise pigs from their weaningweight up to 300
pounds, administer wormers and immunizations to the farm's
herd of20 goats, and use the goats' milk to make soap.
Additionally, the students cultivate, harvest and market
crops, like collards and strawberries, to school staffand the
community- often quickly selling out.
" Whether it's the garden, the animals or driving the tractor,
it gives themmore
opportunities to find their
passion, " Judkins says.
While learning about
livestock production, farm
business management and
agriculture technology,
students are evaluated on
project work.
" It's neat to see their
Castlewood High School
eighth grader Maddox Salyer
hand-blends a potting mix
in the greenhouse in
preparation for a plant sale.
co-opliving.com
minds explore different career opportunities, " he adds.
Judkins says the farm receives grants and donations, and
that community support has been overwhelming. He notes
that while it's an example ofproject-based learning success,
land labs are unique in Virginia, and there are only a handful
scattered across the state.
He hopes the success ofthe Isle ofWight farm will inspire
other school districts to start their own.
Ofthe many lessons learned at Castlewood High School's
agricultural land lab, a strong sense ofresourcefulness resonates
with students -no matter what professions they might pursue.
The Russell County school's agriculture programwas
established in 2016 and now exposes 71 students to farm
concepts. Its land lab includes a half-acre paddock, greenhouse,
garage barn, workshop and community cannery, where students
learn livestock management, horticulture, marketing, genetics,
fabrication, food preservation and more.
" Our land lab is a space to get hands-on with these
competencies, " says educator and FFA instructor Emmily
Hines, a Castlewood alumna. " We're small, and that can be
good in a lot ofways. "
Students from both rural and suburban backgrounds are
immersed in agricultural activities -raising chickens for eggs;
caring for sheep, goats, guinea pigs and rabbits; building
raised beds; and cultivating ornamental plants and herbs.
Workdays make up a portion ofstudents' grades. In the
barn, Hines helped students trim goat and sheep hooves. In
the greenhouse, they hand-blended soil to pot 200 succulents
for a plant sale.
" It's cheaper to mix our own potting soil, sand and
vermiculite for about $75, " Hines says. " And we'll get a whole
lot more. "
Not all the students will go into agricultural careers, Hines
adds. " However, at the end ofthe day, they'll all go to the
grocery store to choose a piece ofmeat and read food labels.
That's important, and they can share that knowledge. " 
June 2023 ● Cooperative Living ●
7
PHOTO BY NICOLE ZEMA
PHOTO BY ALICE KEMP
http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living June 2023

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