Submitted
REXFORD – McCarty Family Farms, Rexford, has announced a $17,000 donation to Golden Plains USD 316, Selden, to enhance and expand the district's Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
The donation will directly support the revitalization of the Diversified Agricultural Science Pathway and the development of a new Family, Community & Consumer Services (FCS) Pathway, both set to launch in the 2025–2026 school year.
This generous investment will provide Golden Plains students with improved access to in-person, hands-on learning in fields closely tied to rural life and workforce readiness. These enhanced pathways are designed to equip students with real-world skills in animal science, agribusiness, nutrition, wellness, and family development.
McCarty Family Farms sees this partnership as a natural extension of their mission to support sustainable agriculture and strong rural communities.
“At McCarty Family Farms, we believe in investing in the future of our rural communities, and that starts with education,” said Mike McCarty, co-owner of McCarty Family Farms. “Supporting hands-on learning opportunities in agriculture and nutrition is at the heart of what we do. We’re proud to partner with Golden Plains Schools to help students gain real-world skills that will serve them for a lifetime.”
The donation reflects a shared vision between the school district and McCarty Family Farms to create relevant, engaging, and forward-thinking educational opportunities for students in Northwest Kansas.
Golden Plains Schools Superintendent and Grades 6–12 Principal Ashley Arnberger expressed her appreciation for the partnership with McCarty Family Farms.
"Golden Plains Schools is excited and honored to partner with McCarty Family Farms to expand and strengthen our Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways,” said Arnberger.
“This generous donation will assist our district in making an immediate and profound impact on the students in both the Diversified Agricultural Science and Family, Community & Consumer Services Pathways. By providing updates to the physical spaces as well as the technology and curriculum for these pathways, our district will be able to serve our students better and continue to set a firm foundation for their future career goals."
The funding will be allocated as follows:
· $5,000 to the Diversified Agricultural Science Pathway These funds will be used to purchase curriculum and classroom supplies ($1,500) and upgrade classroom technology ($3,500). New Animal Science and Agribusiness courses will return to the school’s offerings, replacing online-only instruction with in-person, certified teaching. Additional courses—such as Plant & Soil Science and Ag Leadership & Communications—are expected to be added in the following school year.
· $12,000 to the Family, Community & Consumer Services Pathway Much of this funding will go toward updating the Family & Consumer Sciences (FACS) classroom, including ceiling repairs, new flooring, and appliance upgrades. This includes the installation of a glass-door cooler that will support the school’s participation in McCarty Family Farms’ Yogurt for Youth program, which provides nutritious dairy options to students.
These upgrades are not only functional but critical to creating a safe, inspiring environment for middle and high school students to explore essential life skills, such as budgeting and family planning, cooking, and human development.
This contribution is part of McCarty Family Farms’ ongoing commitment to supporting rural education, sustainability, and the next generation of agricultural leaders.
About McCarty Family Farms
McCarty Family Farms began over a century ago in Pennsylvania and took root in northwest Kansas in 2000, when Tom and Judy McCarty and their sons moved west to grow their herd and impact. Since then, the family has expanded to three Kansas dairies, one in Nebraska, and a fifth in Ohio—MVP Dairy, a partnership with the VanTilburg family—milking nearly 20,000 cows and operating an innovative milk condensing plant. Their commitment to responsible, transparent farming is reflected in their practices and their partnership with Danone North America, where they provide Non-GMO Project Verified milk under a cost-plus model.
Their latest facility, McCarty Family Farms North, opened in 2023 and features the world’s largest 120-stall milking carousels and a cutting-edge design that prioritizes cow comfort and sustainability. Across 6,000 acres, the farms grow feed crops like corn, soybeans, and sorghum, and employ 200 team members. Recognized globally under the ELM-KAN-MFF Holstein prefix, McCarty Family Farms continues to set new benchmarks in dairy innovation and animal care.
In 2024, the family opened the Judy McCarty Dairy Learning Center in Rexford, Kansas, a nonprofit dedicated to educating the public on modern dairy farming. Overlooking the carousel and offering shuttle tours of the barns, the 8,000-square-foot space features interactive exhibits, games, and opportunities for learning. The center serves as a hub for community outreach, education, industry meetings, and research, helping build trust in agriculture and providing young dairy professionals with internship and scholarship opportunities.