The plants in the greenhouse are not the only ones blooming and growing.
Greenfield-Central High School offers agriculture classes and a chapter of the National FFA Organization, with a rich 56-year history of helping teens prepare for their futures.
For teacher Calista Overman-Sorrell, the growth in her students is even more exciting than the annual tradition of opening up the “hidden gem” greenhouse, located behind the high school.
The greenhouse is open now for sales of indoor and outdoor plants, raising money for the FFA chapter’s travel expenses to local and national events.
Overman-Sorrell is in her second year as teacher at GCHS, and was a graduate of the Greenfield-Central program herself. Her mother was also involved in the FFA, and she enjoys pulling out old school photo albums dating back to even the Hancock Central days.
As Greenfield continues to grow, she said many people may not even know that GCHS still offers agriculture classes and a club for those who want to learn more and grow in their leadership. It’s important to keep the community’s agricultural roots.
“Many students join because a parent or grandparent was an FFA member, while others join independently or through friends– sometimes later realizing their own family’s involvement,” she said. “This multi-generational participation speaks to the enduring legacy of GC FFA within our community.”
The National FFA Organization traditionally stands for Future Farmers of America, but the FFA is not just for students who want to be production farmers. FFA also welcomes members who aspire to careers as teachers, doctors, scientists, business owners and more, according to ffa.org.
Today, the National FFA Organization remains committed to individual students, providing a path to achievement through leadership, growth and career success through agricultural education.
At GCHS, there are 120 students taking agriculture education classes; 25 of them are active FFA members.
The greenhouse, located on the southwest side of the school, opened for the community on Saturday. It will remain open from 3:30-6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays until the plants are sold out.
Built in 2018 after a storm destroyed its predecessor, the greenhouse features state-of-the-art mister systems, droppers, probes and more. While timers are used, students take on much of the responsibility.
“Ours is probably one of the newest in Indiana,” Overman-Sorrell said. “It really allows the students to get the experience of what an industrial greenhouse can be like.”
A group of students proudly showcased the greenhouse recently, explaining how they have to add iron to the water to carefully care for the plants.
“On a farm you’ll learn what something is, but you’ll learn the science behind it in ag class,” said junior Logan McConnell, Greenfield FFA president.
McConnell will likely be elected district FFA treasurer in June as well, and says the GCHS program has helped him prepare for his future. He plans to eventually become an agronomist, with the help of an upcoming internship with Keystone Cooperative that’s only available to FFA members.
Seniors Owen Howell and Frank Titus said they enjoyed the FFA experience. Titus plans to study environmental science at Illinois State University; Howell will study agronomy at Kansas State University.
Howell has “always been an outdoors guy” and signed up for agricultural classes in the eighth grade because he loved plant and soil sciences.
“I’ve always really enjoyed the social aspect of FFA and the belonging– social skills is probably the biggest thing, and learning how to do leadership,” he said.
Junior Colton Pettijohn is looking forward to one more year of FFA competitions and leadership experiences. This is an era of building the program up, and realizing that winning isn’t always the top priority.
“Sometimes we go knowing we’ll not do the best, but you just go for the experience,” Pettijohn said.
There have only been six Greenfield-Central FFA advisors throughout the school’s long history, which Overman-Sorrell said is a testament to the dedication of the leaders over the years and the success of the program.
She became involved with FFA herself as a freshman at GCHS. She went on to study at Purdue University and eventually her career path led her back to the classroom.
Her family’s commitment to the area has deep roots, and she’s excited to lead the FFA program she holds so dear to her heart. She has leaned on previous teachers Joe McCain and Scott Jacobs for advice and support.
“When the previous ag teacher’s retirement created an opportunity, the timing couldn’t have been better,” she said. “The support we receive at GC is invaluable, and the staff and administration’s enjoyment of events like FFA Week and the greenhouse is truly appreciated.”
And while she guides and advises, she also gives students plenty of control over their projects and the greenhouse.
“I make it their responsibility to plan their events because it is a student organization,” she said. “If it fails, it fails. In life, you should make mistakes and be able to learn from them.”
GC Superintendent Dr. Harold Olin enjoys attending the harvest banquet annually, celebrating the agriculture department and the leadership that students acquire.
“I am very proud of the way our students represent themselves, their families and our school community,” Olin said. “Hancock County has a long tradition in agriculture, and I believe it will be a significant part of our identity for many years to come. Offering agriculture-based programming through the day and after school through FFA is integral to the interest of our students and the larger community. Therefore, we have made a strong commitment to the program through both staffing and facilities.”
Plant science is a big part of the program, and Olin said the greenhouse gives students an opportunity to experience commercial horticulture the way it should be.
The greenhouse is just one example of how a hands-on working environment helps the FFA members and students in her agricultural classes learn, Overman-Sorrell said. Students plant items as they come in, seeing first-hand about plant and soil health; types of plants; and plant propagation.
“FFA members have endless opportunities to participate, from planning events at a local level to participating in the national contest,” she said. “FFA’s mission is to make a positive difference in students’ lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.”
By Maribeth Vaughn
Plant science is a big part of the program, and Olin said the greenhouse gives students an opportunity to experience commercial horticulture the way it should be.
