The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming
The barn includes plenty of space to house animals.
The long-awaited FFA barn is realized southeast of the MHS.
The Future Farmers of America (FFA) barn has finally become a reality south of the Moorcroft High School. FFA councilor and driving force behind this build, Moorcroft High School agriculture teacher Hugh Jenkins, has been working to accomplish the endeavor for more than three years.
Jenkins started with an idea to create a space for town kids to raise livestock including sheep, cattle, goats and chickens for fair projects near the school.
With the approval of the school board, he stood before Moorcroft's council to request a variance from the ordinance forbidding farm animals within town limits and the governing body granted permission for this specifically for the FFA youngsters associated with the school.
Later, the teacher again approached the council for a variance allowing the barn to "tap" or hook into the town's water line without paying the $3000 fee and, for the kids, was granted this, too.
Now, the barn has taken shape with the concrete slab laid a few weeks ago and the shell raised as soon as the foundation was cured.
Last week, electricity, doors and water was brought in and the structure was complete. Animals are anticipated to take up residence next year.
A determined teacher and a council who understood what this idea could give to the youngsters of Moorcroft came together to create a memory and a future for the kids, all in a barn.