MARION (WSIL) -- As we move into spring, Marion High School Students are caring for and preparing plants that could make your home look more spring like.
"You know one week you're in here and you just see a whole bunch of sprouts, and the next you actually see flowers and it's just a really amazing thing," says sophomore student, Kanye Gunn.
Agriculture teacher, Heather Pulley, says Marion High School's greenhouse is completely run by students.
"Lots of different ag programs do have a greenhouse. Ours is a pretty good size greenhouse so it provides a great learning environment for students."
Students take ownership of the facility in their sophomore level class, Biological Science Applications in Ag.
"I've done cleaning the floors, sweeping, I've also planted and have even cleaned pots so it varies from day to day," says sophomore student, Lydia Phelps.
"They'll see the differences in how we water these plants, which ones are doing well, versus which ones aren't. They're going to learn the different growing requirements, some of these plants like a different type of fertilizer, or a lot of fertilizer, and they get to learn the differences in those, and how it affects those plants," says Pulley.
"So I've learned all kinds of things, from the different ways to plant vegetables versus flowers, but it also teaches career skills like time management and teamwork, and leadership skills that you don't gain from just sitting in a classroom," says Phelps.
Each year, the students have a sale to support the greenhouse. Much like last year, this year's is going to be online.
"So our online order is going to open April 19th, the best way to find that is through our instagram and facebook pages, the Marion FFA page," says Pulley.
All proceeds go to a good cause...
"100% of the funds go back to the students."
Again, this year's sale will be online, starting April 19th. Students will prepare orders to be picked up at a later date. Popular offerings are typically petunias, geraniums, and a variety of vegetables.
