With spring in the air, the
Future Farmers of America (FFA) greenhouse at Allen County-Scottsville
High School is open for
business. The greenhouse provides students with hands-on experience in the
cultivation, care, and marketing of the greenhouse products.
Students in Greenhouse I and II have spent the semester preparing the greenhouse for its opening this week to the general public. The work has been very intense and involved
“Mainly we have to keep everything clean and transplant,” explained AC-SH sophomore Stacee Groce. “You want to keep things clean so that you don’t get diseases and things like that. We started with a seed and then had to change it over three times to different pots and keep the plants in different containers where the roots can develop.”
Groce acknowledges that preparing the greenhouse requires commitment day-after-day.
“Sometimes you don’t get something done at once,” Groce noted. “It’s a time consuming process that pays off in the end.”
The class is teaching students skills which can be used both in agricultural and in the real world.
“Throughout greenhouse you have to learn patience,” added sophomore Alyssa Groce. “You also learn a lot of skills that can be used in the workplace, like working with other people. You have to learn about doing your work and getting your job done. You also learn about plant growth and plant management. You also learn about business management. We also will be working with the public. It’s a lot of stuff that you can take into the world.”
Senior John Holman adds that the greenhouse class will benefit him at home and as he seeks a career in an agricultural-related business.
“I was wanting to get into helping my pa with a garden and thought I would take the class,” added senior John Holman, “I have learned how to grow plants and take care of them properly. I also want to get into ag sales.”
The greenhouse features a wide assortment designed to meet all gardening needs. Their selection includes bedding plants such as Aster Opus, Bacopa, calendula, coleus, cosmos, dianthus, gazania, hypoestes, impatiens, marigolds, petunias, salvia, zinnias, begonias, geraniums and pansies. Hanging baskets of petunias, pansies, and Wondering Jews are available. Vegetable plant selections include cucumbers, okra, peppers, squash and 10 types of tomatoes. More vegetables are on the way.
“We are still planting vegetables,” noted AC-SH agriculture teacher and FFA advisor Nikki Towe. “There will be more varieties coming soon. A lot of our plants are ready to be sold, but we also have plenty for those who plant later on in the season.”
The greenhouse will be open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, while supplies last, during the remainder of the semester. Hours during Spring Break (April 4-April 8) will vary. The greenhouse is located behind the high school. Proceeds benefit the FFA chapter at AC-SH.