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School Greenhouse Program

Educational Greenhouse Programs

We are dedicated to helping students expand their minds and their interests. We offer special pricing for educators to get the materials they need within their budget. We want to build lasting relationships with the educators and students at the schools that participate in our program.

Three examples of schools that have participated in our program are Hayesville Elementary School in Salem, OR; Houck Middle School in Salem, OR; and Canby High School in Canby, OR. At every educational level a greenhouse can be used as an outdoor classroom. In all three cases, the students helped build the greenhouse and have been responsible for maintaining the plants and animals that live in the structure.

Hayesville Elementary School's 12' Wood Gable Greenhouse was constructed by Jeri Gamaney's 2nd and 3rd grade class. This photo shows the students holding up the frame while attaching the roof. The greenhouse is used for plant propagation and agricultural projects.

Canby High School's project focuses on aquaculture, hydroponics, tissue culturing, and aquaponics.

Canby High School received Intel's 1997 Innovations in Teaching Award for this project. The project called Alternative Growing Biological Environment (AGBE), focuses on aquaculture, hydroponics, tissue culturing, and aquaponics. The 12' Stretch was put on a trailer as a traveling exhibit to show the latest in greenhouse use.

Houck Middle School's "Bug Barn" was constructed using Farm Wholesale's panels and flooring. The structure is designed for raising insects for carnivorous plants. The funds for Houck's projects were received through grants. Bob Boredelon's science students helped construct the building.

A Greenhouse As An Outdoor Classroom

Fund raising
Community projects
Assembly and sales of greenhouses
Working with senior citizens

Students Learn

Teamwork and discipline
How to take data
How to follow directions
Scientific procedures with plant growing projects
How to estimate
Marketing
Accounting
Writing projects
FFA projects
Science Fair projects
Environmental awareness
Year around responsibilities and holiday projects

Alternate Greenhouse Use

Hydroponics
Aviary
Desert garden for reptiles
Simulated rain forest
Beneficial bug barns

Fund Raising Ideas

Start seedlings and cuttings for local nurseries
Mother's Day and May Day flowers
Assemble greenhouses and sell them
Grow and market herbs and dried flowers

"We started out this last winter by putting the greenhouse into service for the first time. This was a learning experience for both the Master Gardeners and the young people at the Juvenile Department. We were amazed at how the youth adapted and even requested to work in the greenhouse. It took a little while to get them to put only one seed in a plug, due to the size of some of the seeds. Then when we transplanted them not to pinch the stem of the plant, but to hold it by the root or leaf. We raised approximately 2,500 plants from seeds. They sold the plants at the Saturday Market and at the Juvenile Department, plus what they put into their produce garden. This money is used to pay court costs and compensate victims.

The 4-H "World of Work" youth were with us for eight weeks this summer. They planted and maintained a one-acre plus garden. This was a great learning experience for urban young people. They also spent a few days on a wetland park in South Salem. The garden was used for food for the 4-H youth and families, as well as Marion County Food Share. Out of the twelve youth, eleven families or guardians attended graduation. They said how much they appreciated what was done for their young people in motivation and self-esteem."

Bob Wallace, Chair, Demonstration Gardens of Alternative Acres
Marion County Master Gardeners

If you or someone you know is interested in participating in our program please contact us using our toll-free number 1-800-825-1925 ext 616, and we will gladly send you a packet of information including special pricing for educators.