GRC/KRFS Co-Op: Jan 6th- May 22nd 2026

Kentucky River Field School, just down the road from GRC, has developed a new Co-Op opportunity for Seniors interested in any of the following:  Culinary, Horticulture-Farming, Carpentry-Woodworking, Business-Marketing-Arts.

Students also participate in Field Trips, Reading Discussion Group, Writing Time, and AI Analytics/Applications

The first six weeks is a survey course that exposes students to all these areas at KRFS through assigned block scheduling. By mid February, students are able to select area(s) of focus and work together with KRFS faculty to individually tailor their 15 hrs/week GRC/KRFS Co-op block schedules.
Link to Schedule Preview is Provided Below

Here are brief descriptions of the 4 main focus areas that are faculty supported, curriculum guided, student enriched, and collaboratively developed:

Culinary: Students train in KRFS’ commercial kitchen to develop an Old Rock Barn product line that includes sauces, salsas, baked goods, to-go salads, salad dressings, canned goods, and more from our farm/garden. These products are for sale to the public at the Old Rock Barn Market and Gift Shop. Students learn to utilize the 1957 Spartan food truck to host events and operate the Old Rock Barn student-run event venue.

Horticulture-Farming(HF): Students plan and raise seedlings, hydroponic greens, microgreens, house plants and flowers and implement a market garden crop plan for our farm/gardens to supply our market, events, and community supported agriculture (CSA) subscription program. If students are interested, we also have large scale farming opportunities available at the River Farm that is 20 minutes away from Winchester campus. 

Carpentry-Woodworking (CW): Students hone woodshop skills and techniques through building an array of products including bird houses, picture frames, boxes, decorative wall hangings they can sell in the market/gift shop. Students work with faculty to develop new project ideas based on student interest. Students help with ongoing building projects including decks, pergolas, sheds, chicken tractors, play structures, tables, house remodels, and more.  

Business-Marketing-Arts (BMA): Students study the Local Roots KY lunch cafe business that operates at the Old Rock Barn, run the market/gift shop at the Old Rock Barn, and run the food truck Old Rock Barn venue business. Students plan and run special events at the Old Rock Barn as well as manage Old Rock Barn website and social media. Students curate the visual arts for the wall hanging throughout campus and produce exhibits and accompanying educational materials for visitors to the Old Rock Barn. BMA provides space and supplies for student artists. KRFS can customize studio space and provide equipment for ceramics, textiles, leatherwork, and other areas of student artistic interest.

Old Rock Barn events and operations outside of co-op scheduled time will provide paid staffing opportunities for KRFS students.

Students who do well in the program will receive priority consideration for paid Summer Jobs at KRFS/Old Rock Barn.

Here is a link to see what scheduling looks like for students

For more information and/or to schedule a campus tour, please contact:

Trip Sweeney, KRFS Director:
trip@krfs.org , 859-684-0744

Christy Bush, Clark Co. Director of Community Schools Initiative: christy.bush@clark.kyschools.us

Justin Arms, GRC Principal: justin.arms@clark.kyschools.us