Last month, on a beautiful Appalachian morning with a touch of autumn in the air, FSG’s Chief Marketing Officer and Director of Innovation Bernie Erickson joined FSG’s Director of Horticulture Christopher Hinshaw for a visit to Johnson Central High School in Paintsville, Kentucky.

The occasion marked an important milestone: the official launch of the AppHarvest Foundation’s 10th high-tech container farm in support of the foundation’s AgTech Education Program.

The program is helping local FFA students understand the possibilities and career options associated with the latest ag technology. Best of all, the vegetables grown in each school’s high-tech vertical farm are proudly served in the school’s cafeteria, with extra inventory offered for sale at local farmers’ markets and school fundraisers.

For the Johnson Central FFA program, a unique community partnership is already in place to support the students and their new indoor vertical farm.  Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) was on hand at the dedication ceremony to present a $10,000 check to the school and to announce that vegetables grown in the new container farm will be served at ARH’s local hospital cafeteria.