(St. Leon, IN) – East Central FFA members Kody Schilling and Aidan Roberts used their time in Period 6 Agricultural Structures, Fabrication and Design class to build four handicap accessible raised garden beds.
The 3′ x 5′ beds are 26 inches tall to allow people in wheelchairs and others with mobility issues to stay involved in gardening.
The project not only allows FFA members to learn practical skills in designing and building a project, but also allows them to participate in the Bridging Horizons Community Service Contest in cooperation with the Indiana AgrAbility program.
The initiative challenges organizations to complete service projects to assist people with disabilities in their communities.
In return, winning groups can receive a $500, $250, or $100 cash award.
The finished raised beds are being donated to Southeast Indiana (SEI) Community Gardens located in Milan, Lawrenceburg and Greendale.
The EC FFA Chapter will apply for a National FFA Living to Serve Grant this summer to obtain additional funding to continue building accessible garden beds, with the goal of making gardening accessible to more people.
To learn more about Indiana AgrAbility, visit https://engineering.purdue.edu/~bng/horizons.php.
