SHS flower sale gears up in time for Mothers Day

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Emily Lambie in News // 0 Comments

Southmoreland High School is having its second flower and seedling sale on May 9-11 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Every plant for sale has been grown in the greenhouse by Mr. Larry Ansell’s biotechnology classes, with the help of Mrs. Bethany Eutsey’s earth and space science students.

Their classes have been growing various things such as hanging flower baskets, annual flowers, and vegetable seedlings to sell to students and their families, along with faculty, and members of the community. Mr. Ansell says that the money raised will help with the costs of the program.

“The money raised from the sale goes toward improving the greenhouse and buying seeds for next year’s sale,” said Mr. Ansell. “Such as replacing the fans, water lines, heaters if one were to break, and just expanding the biotechnology program in general.”

To Mr. Ansell, the biotechnology program has a tremendous impact on students.

“Being able to teach kids how to grow their own plants and teach them the whole process involved has more of an impact than just buying from a store,” said Mr. Ansell. “It teaches them ownership.”

The community has helped the school’s biotechnology program in various ways, such as donations, information, and supplies for the greenhouse.

“Christner Farms in Dawson has helped provide information on how to grow and improve the greenhouse,” said Mr. Ansell. “(Student) Rhiannon Alcorn’s father helped with the electrical wiring of the greenhouse and is on call if needed.”

To Mr. Ansell, the greenhouse is the lab “for everything to take place in.” He said he plans to continue growing more plants for the sale for next year.