Page 7 - TTWISummer2026

Agriculture
Teaching Today Wisconsin | Summer / Back-to-School 2026 Page 7

Suring Market and Agricultural Center (SMAC)

and community members to support our local Animals, Animal Science
economy currently include: • Aquaculture, Marketing, Business and
• Beef and Pork products of 4-H and FFA Customer Service classes (with a local
kids technical college)
• Garden vegetables grown by local fami- • Incubation of chicken eggs and care of
lies and students baby chicks
• Lettuce grown hydroponically in the • Wreath making workshop
greenhouse • Companion planting workshop
• Hanging baskets and bedding plants • Dahlia workshop
• Honey and Maple Syrup • Trout in the Classroom program with 2
• Local Crafts and Soaps large trout tanks (aquaculture)
• Repurposed and crafted items made by • Calf care and feeding
the Tech Ed and Art departments or local • FFA and FFA Alumni meetings
crafters The land surrounding the SMAC is cur-
• and more with plans to include firewood, rently growing blueberries and raspberries
mums and Christmas trees with plans to add a strawberry patch, rhubarb
Mary E. Smith, Ag Education & Suring practical education that students will find
FFA Advisor useful throughout their lives. With community The Greenhouse — this 30 x 40 space and asparagus.
Suring Public Schools input and inspiration of community-minded is being used by Suring students of all ages to Future plans for the SMAC include:
teachers, administrators, and school board learn the basics of horticulture/plant science
Just imagine . . . members, this dream is coming true! specifically focusing on hydroponics and • Composting and vermiculture/vermi-
Teaching future generations how to microgreens that are sold in the market. The composting (worms)
grow and harvest. Letting them preserve and The SMAC center houses three main greenhouse can be magical when a student is • RainWater Collection, Reclamation and
prepare their own produce and meat. Imagine areas: able to experience the plant stages of germina- Recycling. We will look for uses for a
kids learning how to market their produce and The Market — the storefront is managed tion, propagation and pollination. Students are rain barrel, design and implement and
cook their food to put on their family table. year-round by the business department. Busi- able to grow it…to know it! maintain a water garden at the SMAC
And what if we ran it as a self-supporting busi- ness students help make decisions related to for demonstration.
ness where students could put into practice the marketing, social media, inventory (goods The Classroom — this 30 x 50 space • Continued care and maintenance of large
employability skills they will need in life. sold) and overall profitability. Students and is being used in a multipurpose capacity. It is pollinator garden in front of school
This is the dream of the SMAC. community volunteers currently work at the equipped to house livestock on a temporary • Duck, rabbit and sheep exhibits
Suring Public School built a first- market with plans to add Youth Apprentice- basis and serve as a classroom for all ages.
of-its-kind center to promote hands-on, ship soon. The goods produced by the students Activities and classes in the classroom have • And sooooo much more!
included: Continued hands-on education that ben-
• Collaboration of high school students efits our students, our community and our
helping elementary students understand world!!!
where their food comes from through
various activities
• Food Science, Wildlife, Forestry, Small www.suring.k12.wi.us

Community Garden Project

Continued from Page 6

“Does that look a little bit like what we ing experience will stay with them for the
did today?” asked Henneberry, to a chorus rest of their lives.”
of “yeah” and nodding heads. Hennenberry and Manthe said the enor-
Hanging on the wall next to a window mity of what their students are working on
is a poster handwritten with the project’s in this small garden space is not lost on the
purpose. It lists the project’s goals, such as students.
“deepen understanding about environmental “They know it’s not just a second-grade
impacts,” “develop communication, critical garden. This is meant for everyone,” Hen-
thinking skills,” “explore weather patterns,” nenberry said.
and “foster a sense of belonging.” “The students know that part of their
Lakeview has embraced project-based learning goal is to create a sense of belong-
learning, principal Christopher Sepersky ing. They’re not saying this garden is my
said. garden; they say it’s our school’s and our
“Two years ago, the entire school community’s garden.”
thought deeply about and worked very hard
on ideas and plans for the former Everbrite
lot near the school,” he said. “Learning www.sdsm.k12.wi.us
about and having an impact on our school
and neighborhood is a deeply connecting
experience. Our second grade has an oppor-
tunity this year to not just learn and plan
something, but to actually do it. This learn-