ATHENA — The Athena-Weston School District is receiving a $79,000 grant for the completion of its Land Lab Swine Barn Project.

The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners at its meeting March 26 approved the distribution from the Athena-Weston Education and Resource Enhancement program, which receives its funding from NextEra Energy Inc. to benefit local communities. NextEra Energy operates a large wind farm north of Athena.

The new pig barn, when completed, will join a sheep and goat barn (constructed in 2017)

that also was made possible through AWERE. The two facilities will provide members of 4-H and Future Farmers of America in Athena and Weston with a venue for raising livestock and pursuing agricultural projects. This project also will create hands-on learning opportunities for students in agricultural education programs, according to a press release from the county.

The county board also gave the Athena-Weston School District until Dec. 31 to spend the remaining amount of a $20,000 AWERE grant from 2024 for a community track lighting project.

According to the county, AWERE  has funded more than $2.3 million in community improvement projects within the Athena and Weston area since its inception in 2003. For more information about the grant program, contact Robert Waldher at Umatilla County Community Development Department at 541-278-6251 or email at robert.waldher@umatillacounty.gov.