Hanford FFA students celebrate opening of new farm school and learning lab

Hanford FFA student Sierra Hilyard now has a home for her Angus cross steer Derks.

"He is pretty spunky, kind of sassy," said Hilyard.

Thanks to the Hanford Joint Union High School District's new state of the art school farm and learning laboratory Derks is only a mile away from Sierra.

Before caring for him was a hassle.

"He has been kept in a diary about 15 minutes away making it about 40 minute round trip," said Hilyard.

A struggle fellow FFA student Lindsey Ryan is familiar with.

"For students who do not keep them at their houses or someone else's home, it is harder because you have to commute," said Ryan. "I have to wake up at four in the morning to feed and then get ready for school."

Thanks to the new Ag facility livestock housing is a problem of the past. Ag teacher Mindy Clisso says they will be able to hold about 100 animals raised for the King's County Fair.

"Steers, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, pig, chickens, and rabbits, we have got it all," said Clisso.

The new facility has been in the works for about 15 years. It was funded by community donations and grants and it is only in its first phase.

"Now the kids are going to be able to come together and work together as a team to raise animals," said Clisso.

The future the facility hopes to hold clinics and community events. FFA will start using the new school farm this weekend.