High Tunnel Repairs Enhance Agricultural Education in Cortez

Severe weather damaged Southwest Open School’s high tunnel greenhouse, limiting hands-on agricultural education for the school’s students, many of whom thrive on experiential learning. But the school’s garden coordinator saw a silver lining, so he reached out to LOR with an idea. LOR’s funding will help Southwest Open School purchase durable replacement tarps that students will install themselves during their May intensive learning session. The project will transform a problem into a learning opportunity—teaching students valuable maintenance skills while restoring a critical agricultural space that complements the school’s other garden areas.