In the 2024-25 Bridging Horizons Community Service Contest, Indiana AgrAbility awarded 1st place to East Central FFA and 2nd place to Indiana Agriculture & Technology FFA for their entries. East Central FFA constructed 20 wheelchair/disabled/elderly accessible raised garden beds that were donated to area community gardens. The funds to construct the garden beds were obtained through a National FFA Living to Serve grant obtained in the fall of 2024 for a total of $3,000.
The Indiana Agriculture & Technology FFA constructed three accessible garden beds. They obtained $1,000 in funding through the Keystone Cooperative Charitable Giving Foundation and by volunteering at the Johnson County Annual Garden Celebration. DRC Machining provided the guidance and skills to help with the construction of the garden beds, including creating the blueprints and itemizing material lists. The accessible garden beds were built for the Prince's Lake Community Garden.
The Bridging Horizons Community Service Contest provides a community-oriented service experience that gives groups the opportunity to apply the knowledge they have gained and make a positive impact by helping community members overcome physical barriers. Each entrant completes a low-cost project in their community that helps to enhance independence for a person with a disability.
Submitted by Steve Swain