The Missouri Department of Agriculture awarded the New Bloomfield R-III school district's FFA chapter a $500 Building Our American Communities grant. The FFA chapter will use the money to help fund the next phase of its nature trail project.
The FFA chapter has already created a walking path, completing phase I of the project. The path is located on the north-west side of the school district's campus, near the track. Since the path is laid out, the next step is to purchase and plant native plants, work on erosion control and add benches for trail-goers to use.
New Bloomfield teacher and FFA chapter adviser Dean Reichel said the FFA chapter made the decision to dedicate its resources to the trail project to provide an educational opportunity for students and a recreational opportunity for the community to enjoy.
"We're developing a walking trail on the school's campus," Reichel said "The purpose of the trail is going to, in addition to providing walking (areas), we're going to develop some native plant areas on it and use it for an educational concept as well, with native grasses and trees."
The district's board of education approved the project in summer 2012. Once the project is complete, the walking trail will be open for both students and community members to use. Reichel said the nature trail project works towards FFA's mission.
"When we get it done, it will be for the entire community to use as well, it's not just for the school and students. It will be for the entire community." Reichel said. "One of our goals and missions with the FFA is to give back to the community and provide opportunities - for not only FFA members, but the community as a whole - for personal development."
Per grant requirements, the FFA chapter has until Sept. 1 to use the Missouri Department of Agriculture grant money.
The director of agriculture awarded grants to 21 youth groups across the state last week, including 11 FFA chapters and 10 Missouri 4-H clubs, according to a Missouri Department of Agriculture press release.
New Bloomfield's FFA chapter president, Kyle Voss, has served as chairman of the nature trail project and worked closely with Reichel to complete the grant application materials.
Missouri groups who received the grant can use it to fund service and community projects in 2015. Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce congratulated each of the groups in the press the release for their work.
"Missouri's FFA and 4-H youth continue to inspire me with their leadership and generosity," Fordyce stated in the release. "Those young men and women are future agriculture leaders and it is outstanding to see them work on projects that make a difference in their communities."
The Building Our American Communities program has funded projects since the 1970s. Youth organizations across Missouri submit proposals to apply for the grants. Grants awarded range from $100-500
The release stated that projects may include upgrades or additions to existing facilities, grounds or buildings as well as parks and community centers used by local organizations.