By Stephen Smoot
The Future Farmers of America exists to train tomorrow’s agriculture sector in both production of food and the business skills needed to thrive in the field. Participants have unique opportunities to travel across the country to learn and share, while growing into leaders and capable citizens.
All this takes money, which is why FFA chapters across the state and nation rely on different fundraisers to support these important opportunities. One such money maker is taking place now as students sell plants they raised themselves in the high school greenhouse.
Funds raised also go toward funding the Brandon Waggy Memorial Scholarship Fund.
“We get them from when they were just itty bitty,” notes Pendleton County FFA member Cheyanne Whetzel. She then pointed out the large banks of flowers, hanging plants, and other colorful options for sale and said “Now they’re really massive.”
Students work on the garden themselves, planting, adding nutrients, watering, and finally even selling. “Everything here takes a lot of work and a lot of time, but everyone loves doing it,” Whetzel said.
“We learn a lot of work skills here,” explained Madison Simmons, who also participates in FFA. She added, “Teamwork is a big thing here. It teaches life skills.”
Students run the entire operation, including the decisions on which items to grow and sell. They also design the hanging baskets, determining which types of flowers would both grow and look best together.
Simmons shared that the project also teaches customer service skills, saying, “They come in and we greet them. We have a mailbox to put money in.”
The greenhouse, located behind Pendleton County Middle/High School, operates on the honor system. Students assist patrons, but do not handle money. Prices are posted and payment is put through a slot in a mailbox.
The greenhouse will remain open and selling beautiful flowers and other plants until the items are gone.
