Two school districts in the county have received grants for agriculture education projects through funding from the Pennsylvania Farm Bill.

An outdoor classroom will be built on the 17-acre campus at Summit Elementary School in Summit Township in the Butler Area School District, and a greenhouse will be built at Moniteau High School in the Moniteau School District in Cherry Township.

Construction of both projects is expected to begin soon, so they can be used when the 2021-22 school year begins in the fall, and require matching funds from the districts.

Butler Area received a $25,000 grant to build the 2,000-square-foot outdoor classroom, which will resemble a pavilion, said Brian Slamecka, assistant superintendent.

“It will look like a pavilion. It will be a place where teachers and kids can work on ag projects outside,” Slamecka said.

The classroom will not be enclosed, but it will feature a cement floor, water and electric service, sinks, and areas to work on plants and other hands-on projects, he said.

“There's a lot of space to work with and lots of thoughts of how to add to the curriculum and project based activities,” Slamecka said. “This has been a major group effort.”

The agricultural projects could include growing crops, starting an orchard and planting a garden for pollinating insects.

He said a development committee is working to finalize the projects and add them to the curriculum.

The district maintenance staff will build the classroom after the district obtains a building permit from the township, Slamecka added.

At Moniteau High School, the 40-by-50-foot greenhouse will support the vocational agriculture program, said Superintendent Thomas Samosky. The district received a $12,276 grant toward the greenhouse project, which was developed in cooperation with the Concord Food Pantry at Concord Presbyterian Church in West Sunbury. The pantry is often referred to as the Moniteau food pantry.

“Our goal is to grow fresh produce for that population,” Samosky said. “We're really excited. We can get the kids back into the community and help residents.”

In addition, the project will allow students to apply some of the STEM skills they learn in school, Samosky said.

Construction will start in June and will be completed in time for students to begin planting when classes begin in August, he said.

The greenhouse will be located in the courtyard area at the high school complex. It will contain grow lights and other technology to help plants grow.

“It's a really nice size,” Samosky said.

The Butler Lions Club and a grant from the Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation provided $6,000 toward the required match. Several other businesses also contributed to the matching fund. Samosky called the Lions a “tremendous partner” in the project and the district will start a Leo Club for students in recognition of the donation.