By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
A new greenhouse is nearing completion at Victoria Junior/Senior High School.
The 20-by-40-foot structure will be used by the school's FFA program.
The program has 55 students, but they have lacked a space to grow plants. To this point, they have been growing a limited number of vegetables and flowers in the windowsills of their agriculture teacher's classroom.
The greenhouse was paid for with funds from local sponsors and Grants for Growing funds.
It will allow the students to grow a variety of plants and vegetables year-round. They plan to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs sunflowers, petunias and other flowers.
The FFA students said they are looking forward to being able to have more hands-on growing experience.
Several of the FFA officers for next year said they intend to pursue agriculture careers, including farming and agribusiness.
The students hope to have a Mother's Day flower sale and a plant sale next spring. They also hope to grow vegetables that students can eat at school.
Funds raised through the sales will help fund FFA programs and travel.
Jacy Klaus, FFA sponsor, said the school tries to take the students on at least one out-of-state trip each school year. This could include attending the FFA National Convention.
Klaus said the FFA chapter also hopes to involve some of the grade school children in their planting projects.
"It's really become not just an FFA project, but a community project," Klaus said. "We're looking forward in the spring working with the community and the community being able to use our plants in their gardens."