Marking its fifth anniversary, education technology nonprofit Ed Farm is strengthening its commitment to Alabama through a strategic investment in the state’s historic Black Belt region.
On May 9, Ed Farm announced a significant expansion of its support of under-resourced students in Alabama with the launch of two state-of-the-art Ed Farm Spaces. The region will now be the home of Ed Farm’s first-ever Connected Rural Classroom at Robert C. Hatch High School in Perry County and “The Portal” at Hale County College & Career Academy. These two rural areas rank among the top 35 in Alabama for poverty rates (source), and access to quality education, technology, and future-focused training is often limited. The strategic openings aim to bridge the digital divide and cultivate enhanced opportunities for both students and educators.
The “Connected Rural Classroom” at Robert C. Hatch High School represents Ed Farm’s pioneering approach to overcoming geographical limitations in education. This groundbreaking, 800-square-foot tech-enabled space is meticulously designed to facilitate high-quality remote instruction and create an optimized learning environment for all 452 students. This first-of-its-kind initiative directly addresses the challenge of limited access to specialized courses in rural communities by enabling the seamless sharing of expertise and highly qualified educators across districts. The innovative design is the result of a collaboration with renowned learning space architect, Danish Kurani. Watch the full demonstration of the launch on the Ed Farm YouTube page.
“The Portal” at Hale County College & Career Academy is a dynamic 1,248-square-foot hub for K-12 learners, enabling them to gain essential 21stcentury skills and prepare for future careers. In a region focused on vocational training, “The Portal” will give Hale County High School and Greensboro High School students access to a fabrication lab, a podcast room, classroom MacBooks and iPads, collaboration spaces, and audio-video labs. This initiative addresses the digital skills gap, ensuring the next generation is ready for the evolving workforce. “The Portal” will also host professional learning sessions for Hale County Teacher Fellows.
“When Ed Farm launched in 2020, our focus was to address the digital skills gap and be intentional about expanding our programs and establishing transformative spaces in areas where advanced technology and educational opportunities are not as accessible,” stated the president of Ed Farm Waymond Jackson. “Every student and teacher deserves the tools and resources necessary to thrive in the 21st century. Unveiling our firstever Connected Rural Classroom and a new Ed Farm Space here is an honor, and one that represents our tangible commitment to supporting this well-deserved community.”
Historically, the term ‘Black Belt’ described the area’s fertile black soil during the slavery era. In the 19th century, its meaning expanded as the region became known for cotton plantations worked by enslaved African Americans. Following the American Civil War, many freedmen remained in the region as sharecroppers and tenant farmers, continuing to make up a significant portion of the population in many of these counties.
“The Connected Rural Classroom acts as a gateway to the broader world beyond our community,” said Dr. Marcia Smiley, Superintendent of Perry County Board of Education. “In the Perry County School District, we are committed to equipping our scholars with the skills needed to thrive beyond the limits of the Black Belt. While we often face challenges competing with more urban districts–due to limited infrastructure that typically draws businesses and fosters innovation–we firmly believe our circumstances should not disadvantage our scholars.”
The Black Belt region faces critical challenges, with 24% of residents living below the poverty line compared to the state average of approximately 15.6% (source), alongside persistent teacher shortages, particularly in essential STEM fields (source). This teacher shortage often leads to larger class sizes and reduced access to experienced, certified educators for students, which contributes to lower performance in subjects like math and science compared to other parts of the state.
“In a small, rural district like ours, we have always had to do more with less,” said Michael Ryans, Superintendent of Hale County Board of Education. “However, today, with the opening of the Portal, we are giving our students a place that says their dreams are just as big and important as anyone else’s. This is just not a high-tech room; it is confirmation that no matter where you come from, you deserve access to the tools, skills, and experiences that prepare you for the future. Whether it’s podcasting, video production, or just having the place to think creatively, the Portal is a game-changer for our students, educators and community.”
By 2030, an estimated 90% of jobs will demand digital proficiency, yet only one-third of today’s workforce possesses these essential skills. The Portal empowers students to build and refine their digital capabilities, playing a vital role in closing the skills gap and preparing the next generation for success in the evolving workforce.
