Photo WCA FFA Facebook
The West Central Area FFA celebrates a significant milestone on February 21st.
Today marks the grand opening of the FFA Greenhouse, at the High School in Barrett, Minnesota
At 230 pm today February 21st, grand opening of the West Central Area FFA’s Greenhouse.
After three and a half years of planning and fundraising, the greenhouse is ready to open its doors.
People are coming from all around, including commissioner of agriculture Thom Peterson.
The Grant County Food Shelf, and Lions International members will be present.
Yesterday the national FFA president, Andrew Seibel stopped by to visit with West Central Area FFA.
All the Celebrating is for all the support and donations to make the greenhouse happen.
Teaching plant science to students in FFA. Over 200 FFA chapters, with around 50 having greenhouses.
FFA Advisor from the West Central FFA Eric Swatzke shared in an interview with news talk 1250 KBRF,
“local lions club all donated, and then the hunger relief Grant from the Lions international program, and that really set the ball rolling with $100,000” and then everyone jumped on board.
$350,000 total raised in donations for the Greenhouse.
Greenhouse will be high tech and run year-round. Can run heaters and water plants from home using phone apps. A lot different than the greenhouses from 20-25 years ago.
Eric Swatzke also explained,
“We wanted to do something big for our community”,
“but the spin that were doing, all year round we’ll be producing fruits and vegetables that will be donated to the Grant County food help”
Teaching students of FFA with the addition helping the Grant County Food Shelf.
It makes for a unique twist for the West Central Area’s FFA, which is very exciting for everyone in the community.
The West Central Area FFA is not stopping there.
In partnership with Ashby school, they will use a USDA grant to build a mobile meat lab using a 36ft trailer.
Working with local butchers for animal carcasses, students will learn how to process meat.
The FFA has a commitment to providing students with hands on learning to prepare them for the future.