Youth & Family Services, Inc. (YFS) received a $2,000 grant to develop a seed starting system for the organization’s future greenhouse classroom at its 120 E. Adams Street facility. The grant is provided through Farm Credit Services of America’s (FCSAmerica) Working Here Fund.

Included in YFS’ current facility expansion project at its 120 E. Adams Street location is the construction of a greenhouse classroom. YFS’ future greenhouse will offer a variety of growing styles including traditional, hydroponic, and aquaponic systems, as well as a vermicomposting system. The seed starting system for the greenhouse will consist of enclosed shelving units with regulated watering and lighting schedules. Combined, these units will have the capacity to grow 1,000 plants at a time. Plants started in this system will be transplanted to YFS’ Fullerton Farm and the raised bed gardens at various YFS facilities and distributed to YFS program-enrolled families who want to grow their own food.

YFS will be partnering with an EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) team from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology to design and construct the seed starting system.

“Greenhouse education for children will be developmentally appropriate and integrated with math, science, literacy, and the arts,” said Sharon Oney, YFS Grants Administrator.  “Anticipated results are that children and families will have access to fresh produce, will develop a preference for healthy foods, and will know how to grow their own container, raised bed, or in-ground gardens within their available spaces.”

“At FCSAmerica, many of us grew up in agriculture and continue to farm. We know first-hand the value of agriculture education and are proud to partner with Youth & Family Services to ensure future generations have the same opportunities for learning,” said Michelle Pluta, Vice President of Retail Operations at FCSAmerica’s Rapid City office.

Youth & Family Services, Inc. is one of 78 organizations to receive a Working Here Fund grant in the third quarter of 2018. FCSAmerica awarded $120,625 during the latest grant cycle ending September 30, 2018.