|
Atwater FFA Plant Sale Blossoms
with Success
Over 3500 flowering plants were sold during the
2nd Annual Atwater Spring/Summer FFA
Plant Sale on Friday and Saturday of May 30-31,
at the Atwater High School Agriculture
Department. The sale represented the growing
horticulture program where “hands-on” student
learning in the classroom resulted in over $5000
in revenue that will help support students and
the program towards the purchase of horticulture
supplies and equipment for the 2008-2009 school
year.
In addition, over $1000 in revenue was generated
through the sale of student made garden art
produced in the agriculture mechanics classes.
“The garden art was a huge hit with our
community!” said Ag mechanics instructor Sam
Meredith. Students took the opportunity to
design and make the various metal garden art
utilizing a plasma cam welder. “We’re putting
today’s technology to work.“ said Meredith, “The
students are developing hands-on learning skills
in a high demand metal fabrication industry.
“Our Ag Department has worked towards a vision
of having a yearly student-operated horticulture
program and nursery,” said FFA advisor Diane
Prescott, “this sale represents the efforts of
our students and the tremendous support from our
school, our school district, and our community.”
The Atwater High School Agriculture program is
currently striving to become California’s FIRST
certified high school horticulture program
through the California Nursery Growers and
Garden Center (CANGC) organization. The purpose
of this certification is to improve the quality
of horticulture programs, curriculum and
facilities, increase career awareness in the
horticulture industry, and encourage students to
continue their education towards a career in
horticulture. “People don’t realize that the
horticulture industry is a multi-billion dollar
industry in the state of California”, said
Prescott, “There are numerous opportunities for
students to be successful in this field of
agriculture.”
The goal of the Atwater FFA is to expand and
develop plant products that meet the community’s
needs and interests. This school year students
have been taking part in horticulture class
where they select and grow their own plants to
sell at the school’s plant sales. Profits from
their sales will go towards expanding their
projects and funding their college education.
Written By: Lilly Reyes, Atwater FFA
May 31, 2008
|
