SHS Students Will Be Holding Greenhouse Sales Thursday May 14th & Friday May 15th

On Thursday May 14th from noon until 8:00pm and Friday May 15th from 8:00am until noon, the Ag Horticulture and Ag Education classes will be opening their greenhouse to the public, selling flowers, vegetables, ornamental grasses, and house plants. The two classes have spent the last semester jointly working in the greenhouse at Sidney High School.

The 14th and 15th is a showcase of the entire Career and Technical Education Department. In addition to Agricultural classes, this also includes Woodworking, Metals Technology, and Home Economics and gives students an opportunity to display the projects they have worked on and the skills they have learned.

All the profits from the plant sales will be used towards upgrades such as a misting system. A major upgrade made during the 2014- 2015 school year was the installation of sensors which send emails about the current conditions of the greenhouse, helping to prevent over-heating and over-cooling of the plants.

"Zach Yockim was instrumental in getting that system through the IT Department," commended Vo Ag teacher Ted Fulgham.

Lindsay Wagner, who teaches Ag Horticulture classes, started having her students research growing techniques, conditions, and what types of plants grow best in our region beginning in January. As of March 1st they began working in the greenhouse.

"We base our curriculum in the Resource Department on what our students are interested in, especially life skills," said Wagner. "This class can take us so many places other than a classroom."

Leftover plants will be put to good use as well; some will be used in the FFA flower boxes that are found around the community, beautifully maintained by FFA members throughout the season and others will be used for clippings and starter seed the following fall.

Greenhouse sales will be in the Commons Area of the Sidney High School located at 1012 4th Ave SE. Cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers are some of the vegetable plants for sale; flowers include petunias, zinnias, marigolds, morning glories, pansies, geraniums, and bleeding hearts to name a few and a variety of grasses will be on hand as well as houseplants.