Spring is in the air and the Future Farmers of America has opened their greenhouse at the high school for the annual plant sale.

The FFA students have grown the plants on sale in the greenhouse from seeds.

It takes more than dirt to grow healthy plants. The agriculture students in Mr. Brian Newton’s class at Grayson County High school are learning horticultural practices first hand as they grow and nurture the flowers and vegetable plants that are sold in the Carl Morris Horticultural Education Center.

The greenhouse officially opened for business for the third annual plant sale on March 30.

The students learn first hand what it takes to grow plants and nurture them from seeds to sale.

I like the hands on experience because you get to watch the plants grow from seeds,” said FFA Senior Tonya Turpin. “I have learned a lot from the greenhouse. We learn how to maintain the right moisture and temperate levels fro the plants to grow.”

Newton, who has been the Instructor of Agriculture at GCHS for the past ten years, explained how the greenhouse works.

“The money for the containers and the growing media as well as the seeds and plugs are paid for by the FFA chapter,” said Newton. “Mr. (Barry) Anderson and the (school) board have been really great at taking care the heating and utility cost of the green house.”

“It costs about $5,000 to run the greenhouse,” said Newton. “Profits, after expenses were taken out, were about $2,000 last year. The public has been very supportive”

The profits go into the general fund of the Grayson County Future Farmers of America to help fund the field trips and completions the students participate in throughout the year.

Many of the students in the class are being raised on a farm or in the agriculture community and feel the greenhouse helps to strengthen their knowledge of the horticulture practices.

The class also lends a helping hand in the community each year.

“This year we are planning a few landscaping projects out in the community,” said Newton. “We will be going to the city part and doing some landscaping.”

The greenhouse is located behind the high school, and is open only during school hours.

The students grow many flowering plants that are used for landscaping as well as some vegetables like; tomatoes, cabbage and bell peppers.

The prices of the plants being sold range from $1 for a four pack to $5 for a hanging basket.