New greenhouse cultivates learning at Hitchcock County High School

Sami Carfield tops off the soil level in marigolds growing in Hitchcock County Schools’ new greenhouse.

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette

TRENTON, Neb. — Hitchcock County High Schools' FFA Chapter unveiled its new greenhouse and nursery enterprise Wednesday morning.

Present to help celebrate the new venture were the people responsible for the donations that paid the bills so that FFA members can learn about the nursery industry. School Superintendent Rob Sattler said, "I know the school could not have done this without the generous donations from the Thuman family and the TCDC."

Tom Baker, representing the Trenton Community Development Corp., said TCDC bought a dilapidated house on a lot across the street south of the school in Trenton. They tore down the house, cleaned up the lot and deeded it to the school for future development.

From left, John Hidy of the Community Bank of Trenton, Megan Forgue and Kathy Thuman, representing the Thuman family.

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette

At the same time, the Thuman family was celebrating the 100th anniversary of its bank in Trenton and was looking to commemorate with a project of some sort, preferably agriculture-related because of the farming and ranching culture, history and future of the Trenton area.

And then, the high school's FFA was investigating the possibility of building an educational greenhouse and approached the TCDC about assistance with the project.

"So," Baker said, "The Thuman Family stepped right up and built the greenhouse."

Pausing for a photograph between new tables built by FFA members were, from left, FFA members Sami Carfield, Faith Wagner and Jordan Carfield; Megan Forgue and Kathy Thuman; and FFA sponsor Katelyn Day.

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette

Kathy Thuman, of Lincoln, attended the opening of the greenhouse Wednesday. She said, "It turned out great. It makes me want one."

FFA sponsor Katelyn Day, who started the school's FFA chapter from the ground up three years ago, said all 38 of her FFA members have helped in the greenhouse, from building the tables to potting the plants.

The greenhouse is filled with annuals and perennials, and the vegetables will arrive next week.

Kathy Thuman and Tom Baker discuss the therapeutic qualities and aroma of eucalyptus plants in the Hitchcock County Schools FFA Chapter’s new greenhouse, which officially opened Wednesday.

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Gazette

There's all for sale, Day said. "Yes," said a smiling FFA member named Sami Carfield, "There's enough to go around."

Sattler said the greenhouse is a great project for the students. Along with learning about the cultivation and care of plants, they're learning to run a business, he said. "There's a future in this greenhouse project," he said.

Sattler said the school very much appreciates the donations of land from the TCDC and the greenhouse from the Thuman family, and for their faith in his students.

The greenhouse will be staffed by Mrs. Day and two FFA members from Monday, April 22 through Friday, May 17; Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Come prepared to buy — it smells wonderful.

The greenhouse is located south of the high school, two blocks west of Trenton's main street.