In March, Flower Hill Institute made a site visit to the Joshua Training Center located in Pike County, Indiana. This visit was special: it was almost the two-year anniversary of the initial outreach and connection between Flower Hill Institute and the Joshua Training Center. Amazing progress has been made, and classes are being held in the newly-constructed teaching center. The meat processing facility has been renovated and is awaiting new equipment installation before harvesting begins. Soon, the Joshua Training Center will be able to harvest goats that are raised on the farm and they have a vision to expand into poultry processing as well in the future.
More than three decades have passed since Rev. Larry Rascoe helped to start the Joshua Academy Charter School (JACS) in Evansville, Indiana. A leader with a vision, Rev. Rascoe has a dream to bring students to a working farm and teach them about agriculture and meat processing. This dream is becoming a reality! The Joshua Training Center will be used to share an agriculture experience with students in meat processing, sausage making, canning, raising poultry, gardening, fishing, cooking, and many other agriculture-related topics.
Rev. Rascoe and JACS administration partnered with the Indiana Agriculture and Technology School (IATS) to educate local youth in agriculture and agri business. This year, 40 students enrolled in the Southern Indiana chapter of IATS. Along with their academic studies, the students participate in the Ag Programs that take place at the Joshua Training Center. The 250 JACS students will also make regular educational field trips to the Training Center. Flower Hill Institute is thrilled to be a first-hand witness to the growth and development of the Joshua Training Center that has happened and is yet to come.