Alpharetta High Schoolers Cultivate Farming and Business Skills at Old Rucker Farm

Cambridge High students gain hands-on experience in agriculture, entrepreneurship, and teamwork through a unique school program.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:19pm

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A grid of brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen images of a single farming tool such as a pitchfork or watering can, conceptually representing the hands-on agricultural education program for high school students.A vibrant pop art celebration of the hands-on agricultural education cultivating the next generation of young farmers and entrepreneurs.Alpharetta Today

At Old Rucker Farm in Alpharetta, Georgia, a group of high school students from Cambridge High School are getting real-world experience in farming, entrepreneurship, and running a small business. Through a daily agricultural class, the students care for animals, harvest crops, and sell a variety of goods - from produce to artisanal items - that they've created in partnership with the culinary program at Alpharetta High. The students have already raised over $4,000 towards their $7,000 fundraising goal, with half the profits going towards their future education.

Why it matters

This program provides a unique opportunity for high school students to gain valuable skills in agriculture, business management, and teamwork that will serve them well in their future careers and personal lives. In a time when fewer young people are entering the farming industry, this hands-on experience could inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders.

The details

The students - Alex Telipsky, Peyton Runkel, and Tate Bryant - start each morning at Old Rucker Farm, checking on the chickens, harvesting crops, and preparing goods to sell. Through their small business, they offer a variety of products including fruits, vegetables, eggs, and artisanal items made in partnership with the culinary program at Alpharetta High. The students have innovated their sales process, using reusable crates with ice packs to keep produce fresh for customers. The program facilitator, Amanda Musilli, hopes the experience will have a lasting impact on the students, shaping their future consumer and civic decisions.

  • The Old Rucker Farm program has been running since 2019.
  • The students have already raised over $4,000 towards their $7,000 fundraising goal for the school year.

The players

Alex Telipsky

A senior at Cambridge High School participating in the agricultural class and small business at Old Rucker Farm.

Peyton Runkel

A senior at Cambridge High School participating in the agricultural class and small business at Old Rucker Farm.

Tate Bryant

A senior at Cambridge High School participating in the agricultural class and small business at Old Rucker Farm.

Amanda Musilli

The facilitator of the Old Rucker Farm program at Cambridge High School.

Cambridge High School

The high school where the students participating in the Old Rucker Farm program are enrolled.

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What they’re saying

“I gained just a realization of how much farmers actually work to be the backbone of America, and really understand what all goes into growing all the food.”

— Alex Telipsky, Student

“We wanted to kind of get our hands in the world of agriculture business, but also just like, have fun while doing it. It seemed like an interesting class, and it is. It's a fun class to take.”

— Tate Bryant, Student

“Before, they were using paper bags. And we were like, how can we make it more fresh for the customers when they receive it? So we came up with these. Put an ice pack in the bottom and the customers return it the next week when they pick up a box. So they just trade it out. And it works perfect. It's great for the customers and keeps our prices down eventually.”

— Peyton Runkel, Student

“It could be the way that you manage your household. It could be the purchasing consumer decisions that you make at the grocery store. It could be the ballots that you choose at the voting booth. I think it will be one of those moments in their life that will be really impactful for their future.”

— Amanda Musilli, Program Facilitator

“Working with customers and working with these guys, and sometimes even working alone, like, there's things that on the farm have to get done whether we like it or not. It's really helped my work ethic just really get a lot, lot better.”

— Tate Bryant, Student

What’s next

The students will continue operating their small business at Old Rucker Farm for the remainder of the school year, with plans to split the profits as scholarship money for their future education.

The takeaway

This innovative high school program is cultivating the next generation of farmers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders by providing hands-on experience in agriculture, business management, and teamwork. The skills these students are developing could have a lasting impact on their future decisions as consumers, workers, and citizens.