VBSD Farm Manager helps drive agriculture efforts across District

While October may be recognized as Arkansas “Farm to School Month,” the Van Buren School District has made this a year-round practice. Brandi Davis, the District’s Farm Manager, oversees operations at VBSD’s state-of-the-art aquaponics facility and helps drive agriculture efforts at all grade levels.

Davis officially joined the Pointer Family in May 2024 with a background rooted in agri leadership. She graduated with an agriculture degree from Arkansas State University and previously worked at a county extension office and farmer’s cooperative.

Her role is a new one for VBSD, made necessary by the construction of an aquaponics facility where the District raises Blue Nile tilapia and a variety of green leafy lettuce and herbs. Each morning, Davis tends to fish maintenance, and spends most afternoons seeding, transferring, and focusing on plant health. “Pointer Greens Aquaponic Garden” varieties include Black Seeded Simpson lettuce, mixed green lettuce, salad bowl lettuce, and cilantro. All lettuce meets USDA nutritional guidelines.

“The benefit of having this facility is that we know our lettuce is raised locally, grown organically, and always served at peak freshness,” said Davis. “Even with the fish…most fish people buy at the stores are from overseas. This is a warm, freshwater variety raised organically.” In the aquaponics facility, fish are purged, meaning all the waste is removed, and processed locally, which results in a cleaner, sweeter tasting meat. Davis added, “There is also a great peace of mind knowing exactly where your food came from and how it was raised.”

As Farm Manager, Davis is proud to be part of a program that provides fresh food for students and helps highlight the pivotal role that farming plays in everyone’s lives. “There is nothing that you cannot tie back to agriculture. I am passionate about educating individuals on sustainability, conservation and healthy living.” She is also proud of its impact on other important District programs. Proceeds from Pointer Greens Aquaponic Garden benefit VBSD’s free breakfast program which is offered to all students.”

Davis is ambitious in her pursuits to provide not only to VBSD but to other school systems in the region. “I hope to one day become a training program for other operations to help them get started in this process. It really is a win not only for individual districts, but for the community as a whole.”