NEN operating greenhouse through this week

By Phil Cobb | May 16, 2017 |

TOM PINNEY/DAILY FORUM
Northeast Nodaway junior Taylor Coffelt waters the plants in the greenhouse. The FFA chapter at Northeast Nodaway is selling plants out of their greenhouse through the end of this week.

The Northeast Nodaway FFA chapter is continuing a tradition this year.

Since 1999, the Northeast Nodaway FFA chapter has been selling plants from its greenhouse in the spring. This year is no different.

Agriculture teacher and FFA advisor Philip Doty said this isn’t the only time the FFA students use the greenhouse.

“In the fall, we grew a few veggies to eat in class,” Doty said. “We also do a winter garden each year.”

The sale from the greenhouse goes to fund the FFA chapter each year, according to Doty. With projects, conferences, and competitions throughout the year, Doty said the greenhouse sales do a great job of defraying costs.

“We’ve been a little slow this year, mostly due to the up and down weather patterns,” Doty said. “We picked up earlier than usual, but then the cold snap happened and people got a little scared of putting out plants.

“We’ve started to pick up again lately, but school is out soon. We’re hoping we can sell what we have by the time we close up for the season.”

The national FFA organization is always confident in the club’s ability to teach students skills they wouldn’t originally learn. Doty said the greenhouse is no different.

“It gives students hands-on experience in planting and sales,” Doty said. “We’ve had several students go into careers involving horticulture, and this greenhouse provides important experience toward that end.

“While Nodaway County is rich in this type of experience, many other rural districts don’t have the opportunities we have here. We’re very grateful for the support we have here.”

The greenhouse has four-pack plants for $2, four-inch pots for $2, and hanging baskets available for $10. The greenhouse will close for the season this Saturday, May 20, to allow for planned repairs and projects.

The greenhouse is open during school hours and for several hours after school lets out. If you have any questions, contact Philip Doty at Northeast Nodaway School, 660-937-3125.