Teacher Turned Farmer
Nov 17, 2025
Sara Clausen
Director of Communications
PLANTING AND HARVESTING ARE CLEARLY NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS, since we’re in production agriculture. But how do you really define a farmer? Do a quick search and you will find phrases like: responsible for the entire lifecycle of agricultural production, planting seeds, tending to crops and making decisions based on soil conditions. All these phrases describe our members; one Key employee accepted this title this year as he took the lead on a very rewarding project.
Brad Taylor has a passion for agriculture that didn’t end when he retired after over 40 years as a vocational ag teacher at Roland-Story. The lifecycle of plants was a foundational piece of educating his students for years. Now as a Key employee, Brad has formed a community garden that, much like our local farmers, has fed many families this year.
“This spring, I worked with Key and also reached out to partner with Brian Moore, the General Manager at WinField® United in Story City,” said Brad. “The result was a 10,000-square-foot garden that produced food for two local food pantries.”
As he got started, Brad discovered that not only was the space for a community garden available, but WU also had a tractor and tillage equipment to donate, as well as a mower to tend to the area.
“We donated roughly $100 to purchase seeds and some plants,” added Brad’s supervisor, Key Energy Division Manager Scott Richardson. “Key also provided any fertilizer needs and had a sign produced to mark the garden.”
In April, Brad went back into the classroom to work with Roland-Story first graders, who were learning about measurement. Brad relied on the students to prepare all the radish and carrot seeds; they used tweezers to place a seed every inch on the seed tape. The tapes were then rolled up and placed right into the garden trenches for planting.
Brad had access to several 55-gallon windshield wiper fluid drums, so he decided to experiment with some recycled resources as he set up the garden. After cutting the drums in half to make container gardens, he very successfully grew those radishes and carrots, as well as tomatoes. Additionally, the Food Services Director at Roland-Story High School was able to provide approximately 200 coffee cans, which were placed around small plants to assist with wind control.
Roland-Story first graders helped Brad prepare the radish and carrot seeds for planting. Next year, Brad’s goal is to grow jack-o-lantern pumpkins for the elementary school.
From the time the garden was planted to July 4, Brad tried to get to the garden every day just to check on crop quality, weeds and pests—dedicating about four to five hours per week to the project. This paid off significantly, as more than 7,600 pounds of produce was harvested and donated to Food at First in Ames and Loaves & Fishes in Story City.
“It’s amazing that a $100 investment in seeds resulted in over $10,000 worth of produce,” said Brad.
Brad is already making plans for next year’s community garden, intending to expand the size and produce selection. One of the top priorities is to grow jack-o-lantern pumpkins for Roland-Story Elementary School.
“When my high school ag teacher comes to me with an idea, I know I’m going to want to support the effort,” said Scott. “What began as a simple idea turned into a cooperative effort that could impact so many in the community.”
Pictured above: Key Cooperative’s Brad Taylor led the effort to establish a community garden in the Roland-Story area. With support from Key, WinField® United and the Roland-Story school system, the garden yielded 7,600 pounds of produce, which was donated to two local food pantries.
Director of Communications
A garden to feed the community
PLANTING AND HARVESTING ARE CLEARLY NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS, since we’re in production agriculture. But how do you really define a farmer? Do a quick search and you will find phrases like: responsible for the entire lifecycle of agricultural production, planting seeds, tending to crops and making decisions based on soil conditions. All these phrases describe our members; one Key employee accepted this title this year as he took the lead on a very rewarding project.
Brad Taylor has a passion for agriculture that didn’t end when he retired after over 40 years as a vocational ag teacher at Roland-Story. The lifecycle of plants was a foundational piece of educating his students for years. Now as a Key employee, Brad has formed a community garden that, much like our local farmers, has fed many families this year.
“This spring, I worked with Key and also reached out to partner with Brian Moore, the General Manager at WinField® United in Story City,” said Brad. “The result was a 10,000-square-foot garden that produced food for two local food pantries.”
As he got started, Brad discovered that not only was the space for a community garden available, but WU also had a tractor and tillage equipment to donate, as well as a mower to tend to the area.
“We donated roughly $100 to purchase seeds and some plants,” added Brad’s supervisor, Key Energy Division Manager Scott Richardson. “Key also provided any fertilizer needs and had a sign produced to mark the garden.”
In April, Brad went back into the classroom to work with Roland-Story first graders, who were learning about measurement. Brad relied on the students to prepare all the radish and carrot seeds; they used tweezers to place a seed every inch on the seed tape. The tapes were then rolled up and placed right into the garden trenches for planting.
Brad had access to several 55-gallon windshield wiper fluid drums, so he decided to experiment with some recycled resources as he set up the garden. After cutting the drums in half to make container gardens, he very successfully grew those radishes and carrots, as well as tomatoes. Additionally, the Food Services Director at Roland-Story High School was able to provide approximately 200 coffee cans, which were placed around small plants to assist with wind control.
Roland-Story first graders helped Brad prepare the radish and carrot seeds for planting. Next year, Brad’s goal is to grow jack-o-lantern pumpkins for the elementary school.
From the time the garden was planted to July 4, Brad tried to get to the garden every day just to check on crop quality, weeds and pests—dedicating about four to five hours per week to the project. This paid off significantly, as more than 7,600 pounds of produce was harvested and donated to Food at First in Ames and Loaves & Fishes in Story City.
“It’s amazing that a $100 investment in seeds resulted in over $10,000 worth of produce,” said Brad.
Brad is already making plans for next year’s community garden, intending to expand the size and produce selection. One of the top priorities is to grow jack-o-lantern pumpkins for Roland-Story Elementary School.
“When my high school ag teacher comes to me with an idea, I know I’m going to want to support the effort,” said Scott. “What began as a simple idea turned into a cooperative effort that could impact so many in the community.”
Pictured above: Key Cooperative’s Brad Taylor led the effort to establish a community garden in the Roland-Story area. With support from Key, WinField® United and the Roland-Story school system, the garden yielded 7,600 pounds of produce, which was donated to two local food pantries.