The Sidney High School FFA and AgEd students have begun Phase II of the Learning to Serve Grant, obtained through the USDA Rural Youth Development Program. This grant focuses on developing and applying leadership and classroom skills in youth who then use these newly learned skills to improve their own lives and the health of their rural communities. The grant partners the students with the county, the city, and ROI (Richland Opportunities, Inc.) to improve and enhance recycling efforts within Richland County.
Last year during Phase I of the grant, Sidney High School FFA and AgEd students designed and constructed metal paper bins and then located these bins at individual homes, businesses, schools, and organizations for the purpose of collecting papers and magazines for recycling. This year during Phase II of the grant, students will construct a total of ten recycling sheds which will be placed around the county for residents to drop off newspapers, magazines, and aluminum cans.
“We have received a total of $3000 in grant money for this project,” says FFA advisor and AgEd teacher Gary Schaff. “Last year, students made metal paper bins and this year they are constructing recycle sheds. The upperclassmen did the construction, the 10th grade did the finishing work, including the hardware and doors, and the 8th grade students did the painting.”
He adds, “We have yet to determine where the sheds will be placed. There will be ten sheds across the county to improve recycling efficiency.”
Schaff believes the grant benefits both the community and the students. “Community needs for recycling have increased,” Schaff observes. “ROI has led the charge in recycling, and AgEd and FFA have teamed up with this established group to motivate people to increase their recycling. This grant assists in these recycling efforts.”
He continues, “The grant is also curriculum driven and benefits the students. Last year, students learned welding and metals by constructing the bins. This year, they learn carpentry skills by building the sheds. We expect to incorporate these various skills with community service. Through the Learning to Serve grant, students do something for the community and they provide by example to other youth. Students can be a major factor and contribute to their community while learning life skills at the same time.”
ROI also will receive some of the grant money to use for fuel to operate the new recycle truck. “$600 will go to ROI for mileage,” Schaff notes. “ROI is the leader in the community for recycling, so this is a way we can help them and contribute to their efforts.”
Schaff advises that some of the metal recycle bins produced last year are still available, so if anyone wants to use one of these bins for the recycling of papers and magazines, he or she may call Schaff at the Sidney High School. “We are continuing to distribute the paper bins,” Schaff remarks. “A limited number of them are available for those who want them. They are to be used for the recycling of individual papers and magazines, and when they are full, call us and we will come collect the papers.”
Anyone interested in joining this recycling effort by utilizing one of the metal collection bins may call Schaff at the Sidney High School or email him at [email protected]
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