Harrisburg FFA plant sale on April 27

HARRISBURG - Walking through the doorway of the small building, at first it looks and feels almost like a jungle.

Instead, it's the Harrisburg High School agriculture department's greenhouse, filled with lush, green tomatoes and peppers and brilliant displays of various flowers. And they're almost ready to sell during the annual FFA plant sale, according to FFA co-sponsor and ag teacher Cacy Ellis.

The FFA plant sale will be on two dates at two different locations, though the time is same for both. Sale time is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days. The first, April 20, will be at the greenhouse on the southeast side of the high school. The second sale will be April 27 at the Harrisburg Legence Bank location, 502 N. Commercial St.

This year's plant sale has a little extra significance, she said, with money raised going toward construction of a new, larger greenhouse next to the high school. While the school's FFA chapter was among several local chapters to receive grants to construct greenhouses, additional funds will mean a better greenhouse and more horticulture equipment for students, she said. Additionally, some local farming families and others in the ag industry have made contributions to make the new greenhouse an improvement over the existing structure.

The new greenhouse will be larger, Ellis said, and the existing greenhouse won't be demolished. Rather, she said, it will be disassembled and traded in. Potential buyers already have been in contact with the greenhouse company, she said.

Jazlyn Lewis, an HHS junior, said the students have enjoyed raising the plants and look forward to selling them.

Plant prices include geraniums in 6-inch pots for $4, six packs of flowers like celosia and pansies for $3 and hanging baskets for $10.

Raising the plants and ensuring their health is a skill learned, she said, and some time was involved in propagating the plants.

"It took almost two weeks to transfer everything," she said.

Lewis said while she's not an FFA officer this year, she intends to try for an officer's position her senior year.