Sarasota County Schools Introduces Its Latest Educational Initiative: A Functional Farm

On Wednesday, Sept. 10, Sarasota County Schools marked the launch of an innovative educational initiative named The Farm. Located adjacent to McIntosh Middle School, this facility is designed to elevate agricultural education for numerous county students, featuring a demonstration kitchen, greenhouse gardens, and livestock pens. The project was funded with an investment of approximately $8 million.

In a state where the average farmer is 59.5 years old and just 18% are under 45, the urgency for agricultural education is clear. According to a collaborative study by the University of Florida and 1000 Friends of Florida, Florida could face the loss of up to 2.2 million acres of farmland by 2070 due to development. Enhancing agricultural education for youth, through effective programs like Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H, can spark interest and cultivate the next generation of agricultural professionals. Facilities such as The Farm enable hands-on learning experiences that resonate with students.

Covering 39.1 acres, The Farm, crafted by Seibert Architects, includes seven new and two renovated buildings. Notable features comprise a central pole barn (arena), several greenhouses, a food science lab and kitchen, as well as dedicated barns for hogs, sheep, goats, and cattle.

“Farmer Kate,” the farm’s manager Kate Traugott, notes that students often arrive as early as 5 a.m. to tend to their livestock, which they can keep at The Farm free of charge if their home doesn’t allow for it. Some students utilize animals they own or those leased from local farms like Dakin Dairy and M & B Dairy, which provide dairy calves for students to care for. The responsibility for animal care lies entirely with the students.

During the school day, students participate in field trips or high school “block scheduled” learning—students from Sarasota High School, for instance, come to study agriculture, aquaculture, and culinary arts. After school, The Farm also hosts FFA and 4-H meetings.

“The range of knowledge students can gain here is astonishing and relates to nearly all subjects,” Traugott explains, noting examples of students applying engineering concepts to practical scenarios, such as relocating a barn, while also learning basic skills like precise measurements for feeding animals. These tangible experiences enhance retention and understanding.

With a diverse background that includes a former career as a 911 call-taker and managing a CSA, Traugott expresses her enthusiasm for her role at The Farm, holding a small rooster named Napoleon as she speaks. “I left my previous career because I am passionate about making a meaningful difference for future generations,” she shares.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Wilton Simpson, emphasized the importance of engagement in FFA and 4-H: “We don’t want financial barriers to deter children from participating in FFA. Thanks to a grant program started by the Florida Senate, FFA membership surged from 30,000 to 65,000 students over the past three years.”

Simpson expressed optimism that facilities like The Farm would further increase participation in these programs across the state. As more students engage, other communities will need to expand their agricultural infrastructure. Simpson believes that Florida can shift from the fourth-largest population of FFA and 4-H participants to the largest, encouraging greater numbers of youth to enter agricultural fields.

He highlighted agriculture’s critical role in national security, comparing it to the six-month supply of oil the U.S. maintains. “Imagine just seven days without food in stores—that puts the importance of agriculture into perspective,” he added.

For Traugott, who herself benefitted from 4-H as a youth, the program’s motto resonates deeply: “learn by doing,” which she believes is crucial for effective education. “Experience is our most powerful teacher,” she concludes.