April 15, 2008
Saugeen Greenhouse Program Involved in Community
By Julie McClement,
horticulture student at Saugeen District Secondary School, Port Elgin
When students begin the horticulture class at Saugeen District Secondary School, they know their participation extends far beyond the walls of the school’s 1,500 square foot production greenhouse. Whether it is actively planning small landscaping projects in the community, or caring for the plants students have grown from seed, it is a process of continually using the knowledge gained from the classroom.
At the community level, students work on projects at the school, such as maintaining flower beds and trial gardens. Students also play a similar role in beautifying the downtown core, since local businesses have taken notice of the skill level of those in the horticulture course. Students created decorative planters to line the sidewalks in front of stores.
This semester, for the first time, the horticulture class has a contract with Chippewa Golf Course, in the nearby town of Southampton, to landscape and plant around the clubhouse and tee-offs.
“I like that this class is involved in the community,” says Sabina Snow, a member of the class. “I want to learn more about plants, and talking to people in the community is very helpful.”
Local residents also benefit. Throughout the semester, residents of nearby towns come in to the school with landscaping projects that they would like completed at their homes. Students consult with the client and then have the experience of doing a full landscape design, as well as planting and invoicing.
Students don’t just apply their skills, they also help educate younger students. Every Earth Day Week, the greenhouse class heads over to Port Elgin Saugeen Central School to teach students in grade two about plants. High school students visited daycare centres later in the semester. The greenhouse students assisted the young children with learning how to transplant seedlings. Children in daycare were able to take home their own geranium or tomato plant, while grade two students received a polka dot plant, fern, or ivy in a decorative jar.
“It was lots of fun learning about plants,” said Erica Parker, a former grade two student. “I wish I could do it again this year.”
In May, the students will sell the plants they’ve cultivated. Community members have the opportunity to learn from students about how to look after different plants and find ones that suit them. Check out www.saugeengreenhouse.com to see the plants that are available.
horticulture student at Saugeen District Secondary School, Port Elgin
When students begin the horticulture class at Saugeen District Secondary School, they know their participation extends far beyond the walls of the school’s 1,500 square foot production greenhouse. Whether it is actively planning small landscaping projects in the community, or caring for the plants students have grown from seed, it is a process of continually using the knowledge gained from the classroom.
At the community level, students work on projects at the school, such as maintaining flower beds and trial gardens. Students also play a similar role in beautifying the downtown core, since local businesses have taken notice of the skill level of those in the horticulture course. Students created decorative planters to line the sidewalks in front of stores.
This semester, for the first time, the horticulture class has a contract with Chippewa Golf Course, in the nearby town of Southampton, to landscape and plant around the clubhouse and tee-offs.
“I like that this class is involved in the community,” says Sabina Snow, a member of the class. “I want to learn more about plants, and talking to people in the community is very helpful.”
Local residents also benefit. Throughout the semester, residents of nearby towns come in to the school with landscaping projects that they would like completed at their homes. Students consult with the client and then have the experience of doing a full landscape design, as well as planting and invoicing.
Students don’t just apply their skills, they also help educate younger students. Every Earth Day Week, the greenhouse class heads over to Port Elgin Saugeen Central School to teach students in grade two about plants. High school students visited daycare centres later in the semester. The greenhouse students assisted the young children with learning how to transplant seedlings. Children in daycare were able to take home their own geranium or tomato plant, while grade two students received a polka dot plant, fern, or ivy in a decorative jar.
“It was lots of fun learning about plants,” said Erica Parker, a former grade two student. “I wish I could do it again this year.”
In May, the students will sell the plants they’ve cultivated. Community members have the opportunity to learn from students about how to look after different plants and find ones that suit them. Check out www.saugeengreenhouse.com to see the plants that are available.