The Southwestern High School FFA chapter in Hazel Green has been awarded $2,500 as part of the FFA: Food For All program.

The nationwide program provides grant money to local FFA chapters to support year-long service-learning projects focused on developing and implementing sustainable hunger relief projects.

The Southwestern FFA plans to help fight hunger by planting a “School Garden.” The intention is to provide fresh vegetables to donate to the local food pantry, for the school lunch program, create a hands-on learning approach to all the Agriculture classes, and provide an opportunity for Supervised Agriculture Experiences for a brand new FFA chapter.

Another goal is to provide container gardens to food-insecure residents. The high school Technology classes will design and build the containers while the Ag classes fill, plant, and deliver the garden containers. The container gardens will provide a long lasting opportunity for food security.

The FFA: Food For All grant program is administered by the National FFA Organization, with funding provided in part by Farmers Feeding the World and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. The program provided approximately $323,000 to FFA chapters in 42 states. More information about the program can be found at www.FFA.org/foodforall.