LaRue County High School has an array of classes and opportunities for its students including advanced art, band, and anatomy; another choice for students is to take several different agriculture classes. In these agricultural classes students have access to the school’s greenhouse which is what I’ll talking about today!
When a group of LaRue county students were asked what questions they might have about the greenhouse I was surprised at the amount of feedback I got; lots of the people who go to school here had little to no idea what the greenhouse would encompass. One of the most frequently asked questions was “what is the greenhouse?” and in response to this question, Mr. Thomas, one of the agriculture teachers, replied that it was a large temperature controlled tent in which various plants were grown and also was home to a small pond of tilapia, a type of edible white fish. Another question that came up in the interview was, “Why is the greenhouse important to the students?” Thomas replied: “It teaches the students lifelong lessons on how to feed the world”.
Aside from the educational benefits of the greenhouse, it also brings in a considerable amount of revenue. They bring in lots of money each year selling the bedding plants and flowers they grow themselves. When asked where the money that is brought in by this is goes, Mr. Thomas replied that it goes towards funding the Ag classes and back to helping the school. On top of making money for the school, they’re also hoping that sometime in the near future the produce such as the lettuce and tomatoes that they grow will be used in the cafeteria for the schools all around the district.
When asked about the future of the greenhouse, the students told me that they’re going to be experimenting with aquaculture and hydroponics. Meaning that they’ll be raising fish and growing plants in a soilless base with no commercial fertilizer, creating a self-sustaining pond. The AG program is also hoping that with added technology that they’ll be able to have the greenhouse running all year.
In conclusion, the greenhouse provides so much for the school and the students who go here so remember the next time you see an FFA kid to thank them.
