This year the program has expanded its selection. New items for this year included habanero pepper plants, perennials and a wider assortment of vegetables.
“We did a lot more vegetables this year,” said Jason Kincaid, FFA teacher for WVHS. “It seems more and more people are doing small, hometown gardens now.”
Green peppers and okra were major plants this year. Spicy pepper plants are also available.
Senior Madeline Scoggins is an aide for one of the Walker Valley greenhouse classes.
“I’ve been in greenhouse classes for about three years,” Scoggins said.
Michaelee Brown, a 10th-grader, said she wanted to take the class to learn more about plants and farming. She plans on continuing her father’s farm one day.
However, Scoggins said she “sees it more as a hobby. ”
Both girls said the planting was the best part.
Students this semester are in their first greenhouse class, which focuses on how plants grow and reproduce.
Senior Sorcha Hanna said she had taken a lot of other agricultural classes, and thought she might enjoy the greenhouse management class.
“You want your senior year to be fun, and actually sit back and enjoy a class,” senior Mariah Bailey said.
Bailey said she really likes plants and flowers. Gerber daisies are her favorite.
In addition to the daisies, the school also has impatiens, salvia, begonia and vinca flowers available.
Bailey said tomato plants have been a big seller already his year.
This year the greenhouse is working with a Relay for Life team selling the plants as a fundraiser. The school has also partnered with a local church to help raise funds by selling hanging plant baskets. Funds not used for these projects go back into the greenhouse program.
The greenhouse is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and select Saturdays. For more information, contact the school at 336-1383 or visit the Walker Valley greenhouse page on Facebook.
