Jackson high school grows produce to feed Madison Co. students

JACKSON, Tenn. — Teresa Crouse has been teaching agriculture to students at Liberty Tech since the school opened its doors.

“Everything we grow out here during the school year is actually furnished to our school cafeterias,” Crouse said. Gardens on campus are planted completely by students. The students also maintain the gardens year round.

Crouse’s students learn to farm in greenhouses, and they have their own organic farm. The vegetables they grow are served to students across the Jackson-Madison County School District.

“It’s kind of awesome because you walk through the cafeteria like, ‘Yeah, I grew that. It’s not poisonous or anything,'” said Liberty Tech student Sarah McBride.

Students say through this program they learn a lot more than just how to grow their own produce. They also learn a lot of life lessons they’ll take with them once they graduate.

“She got us through everything, and she’s given us the best advice about going into the future,” McBride said.

McBride is a senior and says she’s proud of the way her school is standing out. “We’re the only ones that actually have a gazebo where we can plant around it — also have the hydroponics,” she said. “We have greenhouses we run.”

Coyote Blues Restaurant and the West Tennessee Farmer’s Market are hosting a fundraiser Thursday night which will help keep this program running.