SPRING GARDEN– Twelve Cherokee County community projects received approximately $110,000 in grant funding through Coosa Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council and legislative support.

State Sen. Andrew Jones joined grant recipients and Coosa Valley RC&D representatives for a countywide celebration at Spring Garden High School.

Organizers said the listed figures were tentative. Therefore, the amounts could vary slightly because of adjustments and reallocations.

Twelve Community Projects Receive Funding

The projects and amounts listed in materials provided for the event were:

• Living Stone Safe Steps Forward — $8,400
• Foundational Meal Prep Workshop — $12,961.78
• Spring Garden Community Batting Cage Project — $14,969.51
• Cherokee County High Greenhouse Renovation — $15,000
• Beyond the Classroom Walls — $5,500
• CES Sensory Garden — $5,000
• FFA National and State Conventions — $5,798
• Sand Rock FFA Community Garden and Green House — $10,000
• Finn House Backyard — $5,000
• Football Equipment Renovation — $6,357
• Wildland/Technical Rescue PPE — $6,358
• Cherokee County High School Soccer Program — $15,000

Together, the projects support education, agriculture, athletics, public safety, nutrition, and community development across Cherokee County.

Soccer Program Receives New Equipment

A $15,000 Community Development Grant supported the Cherokee County High School soccer initiative.

During the celebration, an audience member said the project included goals, new nets, jerseys, and other equipment.

Extension Partnership Supports County Projects

Danny Miller, retired director of the Cherokee County Extension Office, discussed Extension’s longstanding relationship with RC&D.

Miller said that, until 2012, all RC&D projects required an Extension signature. The projects also had to be coordinated through the local Extension office.

Because of those requirements, the office worked extensively with RC&D on projects throughout Cherokee County.

“We truly appreciate the work you all do,” Miller said.

He also discussed previous RC&D support for the livestock pavilion in Sand Rock. That assistance allowed officials to complete several improvements and upgrades at the facility.

The pavilion hosts livestock shows and other events for residents throughout Cherokee County. Miller said another application may have been submitted, or could be submitted soon, to complete additional work there.

Sand Rock FFA Expands Student Opportunities

Cade Miller, representing Sand Rock FFA, said grant funding helped students attend the 98th National FFA Convention.

The chapter also used funding to launch its Southeastern Cattle Showdown. The event included livestock judging, cattle judging, and a cattle show.

Miller said the event attracted numerous entries and proved successful during its first year. The chapter plans to continue the competition and believes it could become one of Alabama’s largest events of its kind.

Sand Rock FFA also maintained show hogs and several market goats on campus. Miller said the hogs attended several shows across Alabama as part of the chapter’s show team.

Outdoor Space Benefits Gadsden State Students

Randi Wright, representing Gadsden State Community College’s Cherokee Campus, described improvements that created a comfortable outdoor gathering space.

Wright said she noticed that students, faculty, and staff did not have a comfortable place to sit outside. She often saw people sitting on steps near the building’s back entrance.

Grant funding allowed the campus to add four outdoor picnic tables with umbrellas, cushions, and other amenities.

Students can now use the area to study. Faculty and staff members also use the space for meetings, lunches, and other gatherings.

Wright said the project received approximately $6,000 and created a welcoming space for the campus community.

Meal-Preparation Classes Help Local Families

Brooke Traylor, representing the Family Services Center, said its food bank used grant funding to offer educational meal-preparation classes.

The program held two sessions. The first focused on crockpot cooking, while the second taught participants how to prepare meals using an air fryer.

Fifteen families participated in the first group of classes. Some were existing food bank clients, while the remaining spaces were offered to the public.

Participants watched instructional videos showing how to prepare and cook the featured meals. Each week, they also received a bag of groceries to prepare the meal at home.

Additionally, participants received recipe cards containing ingredients, cooking directions, and the complete recipe. Each card included a QR code linking to the instructional video.

Lexi Brock, who formerly worked with the Extension office, provided nutrition education during the program.

Organizers hope to continue the classes during the coming year. Future sessions could provide hands-on instruction in preparing ingredients, cooking food, and serving complete meals.

“Meal preparation is a fundamental skill that many people have not had an opportunity to learn,” Traylor said.

The program has also expanded beyond the classroom. Recipe cards are now available to food bank clients, giving them ideas for using ingredients included in their food boxes.

Traylor said approximately 300 clients visit the food bank twice each month. That represents about 600 visits monthly.

“We have been able to provide food to the community, and now we want to take the next step by teaching families what to do with the food they receive,” Traylor said.

Spring Garden FFA Rebuilds Greenhouse

Maddie Morgan, former president of the Spring Garden FFA chapter, said grant funding created additional hands-on learning opportunities for students.

The chapter completely rebuilt its outdoor greenhouse because the previous structure had begun to deteriorate. The renovated space now includes both a covered area and a shaded greenhouse.

Grant funding also helped the program purchase sheep and goats. In addition, the chapter completed improvements for its chickens and turkeys.

Students added raised garden beds to support the school’s community garden and annual spring plant sale.

“The funding has allowed us to accomplish so much for our school,” Morgan said.

The chapter keeps sheep, goats, turkeys, and chickens on the Spring Garden campus. The animals and improved agricultural facilities allow students in several classes to participate in hands-on learning.

RC&D Recognizes Legislative Support

A Coosa Valley RC&D representative thanked Jones for supporting the organization and its work throughout the region.

“We could not do this work without the support of our legislators and representatives,” the representative said. “We love what we do, and we appreciate your continued support.”

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