Rooted in Learning: Suring Market and Agricultural Center

SURING – Suring Public Schools held a grand opening and building dedication ceremony for their newest addition on Sunday, Jan. 19. The recently developed Suring Market and Agricultural Center (SMAC) will sell farm to table products to members of the community while promoting a hands-on, practical education for students.

The idea of giving students a way to be more involved with many facets of land management was discussed by educators and local parents over many years. When the opportunity to develop agriculture presented itself, these ideas were set into motion.

The core group set on developing the SMAC consisted of Mary Smith, agricultural teacher and Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor; Erin Hischke, business teacher and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) advisor; David Lally, school board president; and Gary Regal, a school board member whose parents previously ran a grocery store and general merchandise in Suring.

Together, this group established the mission of the SMAC with areas such as the Suring Market, greenhouse and David Reise Learning Center.

As explained on the Suring Public School’s website the Suring Market storefront will “sell goods produced by the students and community members to support our local economy.”

The business department will manage the market and students will be employed there through the Youth Apprenticeship program. By giving students an opportunity to work in a small business they will “learn employability skills as well as specific skills like marketing and accounting,” explained interim Superintendent Laurie Asher.

Not only will the market sell items like pickles, jams, granola, dehydrated fruits and jellies made by students in the Food Science class, but local families and those involved in the FFA will also have the opportunity to sell their products. Beef, pork, chicken, vegetables, honey and maple syrup are all items the Suring Market hopes to sell on behalf of local community members.

Superintendent Asher said that this will serve the Suring community by “offering wholesome food items in our food desert,” she added “we will have potatoes, carrots, onions and other root vegetables that are grown in the Suring district and we will try to keep healthy cooking ingredients on the shelves so they are readily available without a 20 mile drive.”

In addition to edible goods, students involved in technology education and art classes also plan to produce and sell re-purposed and crafted items.

The greenhouse is a large 30’ by 40’ space where Suring Public Schools’ students of all ages can learn about horticulture and plant science. This building will also allow for fresh vegetables, like lettuce grown hydroponically, to be sold year-round.

Finally, the David Reise Learning Center, dedicated to the late agricultural teacher who worked for the Suring district for nearly 40 years, boasts a 50’ by 30’ multipurpose space. With space to host livestock on a temporary basis, this classroom will offer hands-on opportunities in a variety of experiences, such as milking cows, falconry, chick hatchery, chainsaw safety and much more.

In an effort to make sure all students have an opportunity to take advantage of the SMAC, Superintendent Asher shared that the space will be “available to all curricular areas and coordinated through the district and building level to ensure equitable use.”

This will allow educators in all different areas to sign up for building usage time for projects related to classes, extracurricular activities or mentorship experiences between students of different grade levels.

Usage of the David Reise Learning Center will extend beyond the district, with Superintendent Asher adding that the district hopes to “host rotating educational exhibits especially pertaining to agriculture that are open to the public.”

As Suring Public School opens up the Suring Market and Agricultural Center for usage by educators, students and community members, operating business hours are still being determined.

For more information to see what students and local merchants have to offer, visit ‘SMAC - Suring Market Agricultural Center’ on Facebook.