In the greenhouse, it feels like summer. Between the warm sunshine, lush greenery and touch of humidity, it’s easy to forget that just moments ago, you had a sweater on.
The Mexico FFA …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous website, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
In the greenhouse, it feels like summer. Between the warm sunshine, lush greenery and touch of humidity, it’s easy to forget that just moments ago, you had a sweater on.
The Mexico FFA Chapter opened the Hart Career Center greenhouse doors to the public Saturday for their annual plant sale.
All year, students of Greenhouse 1, an introductory course to floriculture and greenhouse operations, have been waiting to see all the hard work they put in, finally pay off.
“The money that we make will go back to the greenhouse,” said MHS junior Miah Sprock.
Sales, which began April 21 on select days, support expenses as well as class field trips to other greenhouses to learn more about how to make theirs better each year.
The annual Saturday sale is really where the majority of profit comes from and the greenhouse class was extremely hopeful after a couple disappointing years in the past.
“We have worked really hard because we had to start from nothing because last year our greenhouse got really hot so we didn’t have a lot of plants to start out with,” said Sprock.
Under Agriculture and FFA supervisor Christina Terry’s instruction, things are different this year and their greenhouse is not only full but thriving. Terry said this year’s sale was a success.
“Our hard work of making this greenhouse full has been really exciting,” said Sprock.
Sprock chose to take the greenhouse class because of her love for plants and the desire to be a part of the floriculture contest team.
“It’s a really good class to help me learn these types of flowers,” said Sprock. “I am hoping that next year I can do that contest and do good in it by taking this class and learning these types of skills.”
The floriculture contest is a career development event that tests a student’s ability to identify certain plants, create floral arrangements and evaluate their knowledge on greenhouse tools and operations.
“I like the aesthetic of it,” said Sprock. “Being out here makes me happy. Watering the plants and seeing our progress and growth over the year.”
The greenhouse class works together to propagate plants and create eye-catching hanging baskets. Once everything is planted, they are each responsible for watering their own table.
“We all kind of just help eachother out,” she said.
This time of the year, the greenhouse class really focuses on preparing their plants for the sale – fertilizing and making sure that things are blooming but also ensuring healthy plants that can be propagated next year.
“Supporting FFA kids and agriculture is a good thing,” said Sprock.
For those who missed Saturday’s sale, the greenhouse will be back open in the coming weeks. Dates will be announced on the Mexico FFA Chapter Facebook.
