HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Christian County High School’s FFA is hosting a Farm to Fork Dinner to raise money and share their knowledge acquired while working in the Christian County Agriculture Livestock Barn. Jacob Jaworski, one of three agriculture teachers at the school explained how this dinner allows students to prepare for their futures in the industry.
“We try to be really hands-on with the pathways that we offer, and with animal science we were just struggling to get the hands-on aspect for the kids that they can actually do out in industry,” Jaworski told Christian County Now. The school has been using the barn for a year now, which was previously used for maintenance. During this first year, chicken, sheep, and pigs have moved in and are readily accessible to classes.
Real-world hands-on training is offered to best take care of the animals, a task that Jaworski says some students have adjusted to more than others. They are responsible for cleaning up after animals and doing everyday tasks like removing teeth from baby pigs, ear notching, and working closely with the Todd County Animal Clinic to learn best practices.
“They’ve really enjoyed going over and taking what we’ve actually learned in the classroom and applying it instead of doing a paper assignment or a worksheet,” said Jaworski.
Farm to Fork Dinner
Last year, the program was able to process two hogs and sell meat to people in the community. After a positive response, they had the idea to streamline the process and the Farm to Fork Dinner came together. The dinner will consist of bourbon glazed pork and chicken, green beans, baked potato salad, cobbler, and a drink. Frozen sausage and bacon will also be available for purchase.
While FFA students are fully involved and knowledgeable about processing meat, a local USDA certified butcher will be prepping the food for service. CCHS is collaborating with both locations of the BBQ Shack for this elevated sit-down dinner, with students in charge of serving to give them a full circle agriculture experience.
“It will be a pretty cool experience for them seeing it the whole way through,” said Jaworski. “They’ve raised the animal, they’ve gone through the butcher side by visiting Hamptons, and now we can sell the final product.”
The funds raised will go directly back into the program and help supply additional materials. Aside from the dinner, he added that the program is always looking for the involvement of local specialists to help teach students about agriculture and help at the barn.
The dinner will take place on Friday Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets must be purchased before Dec. 10 and will not be sold at the door, a to go option is also available. Seats are limited so they are encouraging people to buy tickets early. Tickets can be purchases ahead of time online on the CCHS GoFan page.
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