Growth

Originally, I thought a greenhouse at school would be fantastic because students could grow food for the cafeteria and learn about the growing process through classes and clubs. As the semester unfolded, I spoke with many different people about the possibilities a greenhouse would bring to our school and community. My simple ideas turned out to be only the start for the future of the greenhouse. One of the main concerns for the greenhouse is what will be done with it during the summer. Two possible plans have come up through discussion with my mentor and other MHS staff, among many other ideas.

The first option for plant production in the spring is for starters at Phillips Farm. Ms. Eareckson suggested this as a use for the greenhouse when summer is around the corner, and students are planning vacations. Because the growing season starts in the spring, and the summer is not the best time to be harvesting produce at school, planting starters in the greenhouse to then be transported to Phillips Farm would both alleviate problems with summer greenhouse care and improve the farm. During the spring, we could plant whatever is needed in the greenhouse, and then when the plants are ready to be exposed to the outside, they could be transported to the farm.

There are summer camps at Phillips Farm during the summer that are run by the Environmental Club. The club members volunteer to help at the camps for younger children for a few weeks. The care and observation of the plants started in the greenhouse could become a part of the camp. The children could experience the growth of new life from the very start. This would be a great way to share the benefits from the greenhouse with people outside of the high school.

If there are students available to volunteer during the summer, then the plants grown in the greenhouse in the spring could be sold at the farmer’s market to raise money either for the greenhouse upkeep, the Environmental Club, or another cause. Depending on how much grant money is awarded for the greenhouse, we may or may not need to raise outside funds. This would be a great way to involve the community and make money needed to reimburse whatever money is spent on building the structure. Students could earn volunteer hours or maybe even earn a percentage of the money they make at the market.

If we plant starts in the greenhouse, those could also be sold at the farmer’s market so that other people could start gardens themselves. This would also spread the word about what the high school is doing and encourage others to do the same. At the market, we could show pictures and share information about the greenhouse at school, so people might be inspired to support it or start a greenhouse of their own. The publicity would once again be beneficial to MHS and the community.

From the initial idea of the greenhouse until now, so much has changed. There is continuous inspiration for the greenhouse whenever I go online or tell someone about my project. Although keeping track of the various ideas has proven to be a little difficult, I am glad that my project has grown so much. After the semester is over, I want it to continue to grow.

~Olivia