Highland FFA and agronomy students will be growing crops on school grounds this spring.

The Highland School Board approved a proposal from Agriculture Instructor and FFA Advisor Duane Van Winkle to use about 6-7 acres of school-owned land west of the football field.

Superintendent Dr. Mike Jorgensen said it was a solid proposal, “We got land back there behind the football field, track area that really all we do is mow. And now that we have an active agriculture program and an agronomy class going on Mr. Van Winkle thought that he could use that land. And I also had a call today from Brian Wood with Vision Ag offering to donate some seed and stuff so that will help.”

Van Winkle will teach students about the cost of crop production and have the students assume responsibility of producing and marketing the crop. Van Winkle is requesting about $10,000 from the board for capital, which will be repaid upon the sales of crops.