The Woodward News

Local News

September 7, 2012

Fort Supply has new ag facility

Brandi Thomas Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — FORT SUPPLY -- Fort Supply FFA now has a brand new building for students to use in their livestock projects thanks to the folks of the Sleeping Bear/Buffalo Bear wind farms.

According to Fort Supply Superintendent Pat Howell, when he arrived at the school a few years ago the farm for the FFA students was in bad shape.

"The farm that was being used had salmonella in the soil, and with pigs having a simple stomach that wasn't going to work," Howell said.

Howell took it upon himself to find a new home for the FFA farm and with the help of some friends down state they were able to obtain a piece of land adjacent to the school to put a new farm.

"Next came finding the money to get what we really needed," Howell said.

"We were able to put together a few donations and our Ag teacher was able to write a few grants to get us started," Howell said.

The next challenge was getting money from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, according to Howell.

"With the wind farms that had moved in the state was basically going to cut a lot of money that we were really counting on," Howell said.

Howell then talked to the people of Sleeping Bear/Buffalo Bear and told them the situation that was taking place at the state level.

"They then talked to their corporate people and came back with a plan for our school," Howell said.

"They came back and said that they want to be partners with the school and wanted to know what they could help out with first," Howell said.

Over the past few years, Sleeping Bear/Buffalo Bear wind farms donated close to $375,000 to the Fort Supply school district to help with everything from salaries, school improvements and the building of the new agricultural center.

"They really wanted something that they could put their name on to show the community how they were helping the school district out," Howell said.

The new agriculture center will be used to house, clean and show livestock during the Fort Supply fair, with the front space used to display arts and crafts items and the canned goods, according to Howell.

The new agriculture center is located across the street to the east from the school.

"The building is climate controlled, so if we need to during the winter months we can bring the show animals inside to keep them protected from the harsh weather," Howell said.

Vince Chaisson with Sleeping Bear/Buffalo Bear said that is a valued asset for the school and the FFA program.

"Think that it is a valuable piece of property for the students at Fort Supply and I couldn't believe everything that they are going to use it for," Chaisson said.

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