Lake County Gazette

Students from Grayslake Community High School District 127 are engaging in hands-on agricultural education through a partnership with Liberty Prairie Farm. The initiative, led by teacher Jeff Miller—known to students as “Farmer Jeff”—involves the Land, Environment, Animals, & Food (LEAF) classes at both Grayslake North and Central High Schools.

Miller explained the learning process with baby chicks: “The baby chicks are a favorite every year. My students are responsible for monitoring them in incubation and helping welcome them into the world when they hatch. They now live in the Hub for a few weeks, where students care for them, study them, and just enjoy being around them. Eventually, they will transition to the farm where they’ll live with the goats, sheep, and other chickens. Students will see them again when they visit the farm!”

On October 4, students from District 127 participated in the Liberty Prairie Fall Farm Festival, a community event that provided practical experiences in farming, food systems, and sustainability. Students managed tasks such as working with animals, handling sales, and educating visitors about farm operations.

Miller praised the students’ involvement: “The students were amazing at sharing their knowledge and serving the community. We could not have done it without them.”

Despite high temperatures, the festival attracted several hundred visitors and raised about $2,300 through sales and donations. Students played a central role throughout the event and were recognized for their leadership.

Grayslake Community High School District 127 serves Lake County and includes both Grayslake Central High School and Grayslake North High School. More information about the district can be found at https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.

In addition to events like Fall Fest, students in District 127 participate in LEAF classes, FFA programs, and internships that help them develop leadership, communication, and sustainability skills. These programs reflect the district’s focus on authentic learning experiences. The district’s student body is 58.5 percent White, 25 percent Hispanic, 7.2 percent Asian, and 4.3 percent Black according to the Illinois State Board of Education (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

Miller highlighted the impact of these opportunities: “It’s fulfilling to see students connect with nature, each other, and their own potential. Whether they go into agriculture or something entirely different, they’re learning how to make a difference in their community.”

Grayslake Community High School District 127 employs 195 teachers with an average salary of $79,647. The teaching staff is composed of 59.8 percent women and 40.2 percent men. There are no teachers with more than 10 absences in a school year (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020, the district spent $31,874 per student for a total expenditure of $88,036,264 (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

The district plans to continue offering hands-on educational opportunities throughout the year with additional events such as the Spring Plant Sale and Farm Festival.