Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
A Kimball plant science student tends her plants in the Kimball High School greenhouse. Alongside the wide array of flowers is a variety of vegetables as well.
Amber Birkhoffer, right, tends to rows of her plants on the tables.
Tayla Schutz, left, cares for the hanging baskets at the Kimball High School greenhouse while Christopher Pile, not shown, holds her ladder still.
Audrey Hepburn once said, "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow." That very sentiment is echoed in the FFA Creed, "I believe in the future of agriculture," and enacted in the Kimball High School's Ag Greenhouse.
This greenhouse enclosure was purchased in 2004 from Stuppy Manufacturing, according to Kimball's previous Ag Instructor, Alan Held, for around $38,000. It was then erected by local contractors in 2005, at an approximate cost of $26,000. Currently, as it was when first built, is used for the Plant Science class and the FFA students.
The Plant Science class uses the greenhouse for hands-on planting and growing experience and at this time of the year, the class then sells their plants to the public, according to Kimball's Ag instructor, Sally Wheeler.
A small portion goes to the student when their plant(s) sell, for motivation to do a nice project, according to Wheeler, and the remaining portion will go to the local FFA Chapter.
This year the local chapter will use those funds to build a much-needed shed to store pots, soil material, and garden tools.
A total of six students have planted the available plants including Pansies, Begonias, Daisies and Double-Petunias. Students also grow vegetables such as, peppers or tomatoes, that will be available at a later date.
"Overall, I think my students have really enjoyed the process of plant growing and learning about plants," Wheeler said. "I have one student that is looking forward to growing a garden with her mom this year."
All members, families, alumni, staff, and the community are invited by Wheeler and her students to come and celebrate their accomplishments during the 2015-16 school year, and to find out who the 2016-17 FFA Officer Team will be. Dinner will be served with tickets available to purchase beforehand.
