Winchester FFA plant sale this weekend
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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE
The Winchester FFA hosted its annual plant sale Saturday and Sunday at the school’s greenhouse.
A variety of annual bedding plants, vegetables and herbs will be available.
The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days..
According to Winchester ag teacher and FFA sponsor Alexis Carroll, the plant sale is integral to the curriculum of two of the Winchester High School ag program’s classes.
“The horticulture class and the greenhouse management classes are really in charge of the plant sale from the time that we get the plants,” Carroll said. “They are responsible for replanting the plants, taking care of the plants as they grow, and for managing the sale.”
Carroll said that the plant sale serves a keystone project of sorts for the two classes.
“The plant sale really ties together everything they’re learning in those two classes – from the horticulture side to the business side of the industry,” Carroll said.
A number of common bedding plants will be available – including geraniums, petunias, and spikes – as well as more unique bedding options..
Other flowers include gerbera daisies, sweet potato vines, petunias, calibrochoa, vinca, coleus, fountain grass, dusty miller, verbena, moss rose, dianthus, and hypoestes.
Likewise, common vegetables, such as tomatoes and peppers are available, in addition to vining vegetables including cucumber and zucchini. Cool season vegetables chard and brussels sprouts are also available, along with many culinary herb varieties.
In addition, the plant sale has decorative hanging baskets available for purchase.
Carroll is in her second year as Winchester High agriculture teacher and FFA advisor.
She grew up on a small farm outside of Carrollton, where she helped her family raise cattle, goats, and rabbits for 4-H and FFA projects.
After two years at Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC), Carroll transferred to SIU Carbondale to finish her bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education.
On Friday, Winchester’s FFA chapter will host its annual banquet, where it will recognize the accomplishments of its member students.
For more information on the plant sale or for information on Winchester High School’s FFA chapter, contact Carroll at 217-742-3151 or [email protected].
Beth Zumwalt contributed to this article.
