CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A forum scheduled for Tuesday will discuss the importance of installing a comprehensive agriculture program in the Kanawha County Schools system.
The event, which will take place at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Charleston, will focus on the benefits of having such an initiative for students as well as the careers in the agriculture field worth exploring through education efforts.
Jeremy Brannon, AmeriCorps VISTA with West Virginia State University Extension Service, said he believes the program would be best suited for the new Herbert Hoover High School.
“Young people who participate in these programs are more likely to go on and pursue higher education and right now, as a state, we’ve got 19 percent of the working class has a college education,” he said.
A time from the School Building Authority puts the opening of the new Herbert Hoover High School in the fall of 2021.
“It’s one way of lifting this state and county out of the poor house and really diversify the economy, especially when it comes to agriculture,” Brannon added of the program.
Brannon said there is not a cost with the program yet, but the West Virginia Department of Education offers grants worth up to $100,000 for a start-up program. The funds would cover a teacher’s salary and benefits for one year.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.