GLASGOW, Ky. — Barren County Schools has received a $123,478 award through the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program for fiscal year 2026 to expand its agricultural education and local food efforts.

According to Farm to School Coordinator Dr. Andy Joe Moore, the funding will support the addition of two 25-by-25-foot educational greenhouses at elementary schools, along with new equipment including a germination chamber, a tractor-operated rotary tiller and additional tower gardens.

The project will also create two student co-op positions to assist with greenhouse operations, garden maintenance and agricultural education, while middle school students will take part in field trips to partner farms.

Moore said the district’s internal food hub, Trojan’s Table, will continue coordinating the use of student-grown and locally grown foods in school cafeterias.

Revenue generated from student-grown produce will support the district’s Dirt to Dish after-school program, with additional funding set aside for long-term sustainability.

The grant period runs through June 30, 2028, allowing a little over two years to complete the projects.

Moore said the award reflects years of work already underway across the district.

“This school year we've successfully been producing fresh produce at all 7 elementary school campuses, the middle school campus, and high school campus,” Moore said in an email to Barrenside.

“At each school, the food is grown and harvested by the students, and then served in each local cafeteria.”

Moore said the effort is a collaboration between the Farm to School team, Nutrition Services, Dirt to Dish coordinators, agricultural education programs and cafeteria staff.

“This entire farm to school movement in Barren County Schools wouldn't be possible without the leadership of CheyAnne Fant, Director of Nutrition Services,” Moore said.

He also noted the work behind securing the grant.

“Barren County Schools Assistant Director of Nutrition Services Kacy Koory spent countless hours writing and submitting the grant,” Moore said.