From news partner US92:
Soon, the Elgin FFA will have more room to grow. After receiving grant money and other donations, Elgin Public Schools will soon be able to replace the greenhouse it uses for instruction at the high school. A $5,000 donation from the Elgin Area Community Foundation and a $2,000 grant from Farm Credit Services of America will give students a chance to grow plants and vegetables with a lot of additional space that will benefit them in a variety of ways. Elgin FFA Advisor Julia Schwartz says they are excited for the chance to expand and operate more comfortably. “When we have all of the plants in there, there’s basically room for one person. When we get all of our plants ready for our sale, we bring them into our shop and that’s where we do all of the transplanting if we’re doing plants and what not. That’s where all of that work happens.” The new 18-foot by 24-foot greenhouse will give students a chance to learn about plant processes and how to cultivate them, but also apply a business aspect. If all goes according to plan, tomatoes, lettuce, and potentially other food grown in the greenhouse could then be used in school lunches. Schwartz thinks kids of all ages will then get a chance to see first hand where some of their food comes from. “It’s important that kids understand where their food comes from and I think with this greenhouse, the elementary teachers could especially utilize it too. They could teach those younger kids that your food doesn’t just show up in a grocery store.” Students taking agricultural education in Elgin feel the additional opportunities will also help with their current plant sales. Sophomore Marie Meis says they will enjoy the upgrade to their current greenhouse. “We just have a weekend to go and open the door in the morning and close it at night and it’s always flying off and it’s broken, so it’s hard to work with sometimes. We’re really glad to be able to work in this one.” Elgin Public Schools will contribute up to $10,000 for the project if needed. Schwartz says construction is set to begin later this fall or in early winter, with the indoor heating and irrigation components installed in January and plants inside the greenhouse by this February. |
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