OXFORD – The Oxford Future Farmers of America chapter has been awarded a sizable grant worth $8,500 as part of the Rural Youth Development program.

The nationwide program provides grant money to rural FFA chapters – in communities under 10,000 – to support year-long, service-learning projects that address local needs. Many FFA chapters have been funded for multiple years.

The Oxford FFA chapter plans on utilizing their portion of grant funding to help address hunger by growing plants in new hydroponic systems.

Additionally, FFA students are working out plans to raise poultry at their homes to be processed to support the protein supply at the Taste n’ See Soup Kitchen in Oxford.

The experience will enable students the ability to witness and participate in the full process of where our food comes from, along with learning about proper care, safe handling, and processing. Many community partners are coming together to help this project succeed including Page Seed, Cornerstone Farm Ventures, and Canal Street Hardware.