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Narrative: The Johnson County Alternative Farming Center was begun in 1994 at Johnson County High School. This unique, one-of-a-kind program has received regional and national attention including visitors from fourteen states and four foreign countries and national coverage on radio, television, newspapers and magazines. Seventeen area businesses are partners with this project.
The primary objective of this Center is "to establish a self-supporting alternative farming demonstration laboratory to assist local farmers and students with training and education in technologies of emerging alternative agriculture and aquaculture markets." The 9000 square foot facility has become the students' classroom where they combine their skills from school subjects such as chemistry, biology, physics, math, English, business, marketing and computers with the "hands-on" learning of managing an agricultural business.
Sustainability of the project is achieved through selling the products produced and support from the school system. Businesses helped construct the facility and there is strong interest in replicating the Center in Williamson, Sullivan and Unicoi Counties.
It Works! Three hundred and forty-six (346) students are enrolled in agriculture classes out of a total school enrollment of approximately six hundred and fifty (650). The program in the 1980's only had one hundred students enrolled. Participation of female students increased from one to one hundred and sixty-two (162).
Contact:
Gerald Buckles, Superintendent
Johnson County School System
211 North Church Street
Mountain City, TN 37683
423/727-2640 voice
423/727-2663 fax
E-mail: