By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER

marcie@bradfordera.com

When one thinks of a school open house, sights that come to mind might be models of planets, or working volcanoes.

Next Thursday, when the Otto-Eldred High School FFA program holds an open house, starting at 4:30 p.m., members of the public can stroll through a greenhouse alive with color — gorgeous flowers and starter vegetables.

Nothing will be sold there until Friday, when the greenhouse sale begins.

During Thursday’s event, the marketplace will be open for visitors to see and buy the students’ hard work on things like candles, cutting boards and corn-hole boards.

It’s all part of AGstravaganza Week for the O-E Agricultural Program, featuring students’ Supervised Agriculture Experience projects on display.

All will be at OEHS in Duke Center. At 5:30 p.m. Thursday will be the FFA Awards Ceremony to recognize student achievement and community support, and honor chapter leaders.

Light refreshments will be available.

Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. will be the greenhouse sale. Along with the plants, the student-run agribusiness The Rustic Duck will have a booth set up to showcase and sell their agriculture-based products. Brandon Witmer, agricultural science teacher and FFA advisor at O-E, explained the students are involved at every step.

‘For the greenhouse, the students and I look at what sold well last year, what we sold out of, and what we should focus on this year, when deciding what to grow,’ he said.

‘This year, we grew over 450 hanging baskets, over 300 decorative flower patio pots, and over 100 trays of starter vegetables. Plus, other plants and pots in between.

‘In the shop, students make projects specific to their interests. This means products change from year to year depending on what students are interested in completing,’ Witmer explained.

The Rustic Duck, which will be set up Friday and Saturday, isn’t open all the time.

‘We sell at some local events in the area and have seasonal sales FFA… page A-10

The Otto-Eldred High School FFA program will hold an open house Thursday, followed by the start of its spring greenhouse sale Friday.

Otto-Eldred FFA throughout the year,” he said. “We are working on establishing a better website through the PA Wilds Marketplace. We are still finalizing those details.”

As for the greenhouse sales, Witmer said they are popular, and are attracting larger crowds.

“Our greenhouse sale continues to grow. This will be our third spring greenhouse sale! Last year, we had over a hundred people waiting in line to see the plants that the students had grown,” he explained. “This continues to grow as a community event, and we are so appreciative of that. Without our community, our students would not be able to have this experience.”

And for the really great news about the program’s success — “The greenhouse now operates sustainably. The money from the sale goes to help fund next year’s greenhouse supplies. The rest of the proceeds go to the students to help cover the costs of attending the Pennsylvania FFA State Convention in June at Penn State. Whether it is our greenhouse sale, Rustic Duck sales, or any other chapter fundraiser, all proceeds directly benefit our students.”

Witmer added, “Myself, Mr. Jared Dickerson, and Mrs. Stacy Gould are so proud of our students and the hard work they put into our program and their education. We are beyond thankful to have a community that supports our program and students. Without that community support, we would not be able to provide our students with opportunities like these to learn important life skills. Please come out and support our students!”