Special Education Greenhouse
Several master gardeners are retired school teachers who have an eye out for opportunities in the community to involve children. An ideal situation occurred in 2007 when the special education building in 
Quitman was being torn down to make way for a new building. There was an old greenhouse behind the building that was also marked for demolition, with no plans for reconstruction. This group of master gardeners obtained permission from the extension agent to tackle this as a project. With that done, they went to the school board, as well as the local Pilot Club, and presented their ideas to these groups. In a few short weeks, they were off and running!
The first step was to demolish the old greenhouse and salvage as many parts as they could. These were stored until the new educational building was erected and then the plans began to materialize.
During the summer of 2009 the new educational building was completed, grants and funding for the greenhouse were obtained, a group of master gardener volunteers organized and everything was finally in place to begin.
The ground was prepared, materials gathered, and the greenhouse began to take shape.
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Many hours of hard labor went into the reconstruction by the "muscles" of the group. This was done during the summer with temperatures in the 100's and frequently hampered by the rain. Early mornings and late evenings were spent getting the job done prior to the start of the new school year. |
The vision of working with special needs children to provide them a place to learn and develop life skills of gardening, with hands on experience, was always present with the group as they worked to complete the greenhouse. |
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The greenhouse project continues to make progress. There are plans to purchase pansy plugs and let the students grow pansys for a fall plant sale. It will be very rewarding to see the students actually working in the facility this fall.
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By early October, 2009 the hard work was complete and the greenhouse was open for business. The children were a delight as they explored their new greenhouse and planned for their upcoming plant sale. |
AND THE PLANTS ARRIVED!
As the plants were received, they were carefully checked and prepared for planting. The plants thrived under the loving care of the students and reddied for the sale. |
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As the students sold the plants, they assured each pansy that they were going to a good home. Now as "experienced" gardeners, the students are eager to continue their gardening endeavors.
2010
As 2010 arrived, the students were ready!
Using funds generated by their first successful plant sale last fall to purchase supplies, the students worked with Wood County Master Gardeners in February to transplant 365 Begonia plugs. The students will take care of these plants unter the guidance of Master Gardeners. These will be used in an upcoming plant sale and the money earned will help purchase supplies for future sales.
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Flower and herb seeds were also planted by the younger students. as these seeds grow, the older students can transplant them to larger pots and have them for the plant sale also. This project teaches the students many valuable gardening lessons. It is an excellent opportunity for Master Gardeners to share their gardening skills with future gardeners.
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After a few short weeks, sunflower seedlings, grown from seeds, were large enough to transplant.
Success with plants! Future Gardeners?
All agree that working with these "special" children rewards the workers as well as the students. We all look forward to the upcoming plant sale and continued work at the Special Education Greenhouse. |
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