Students take on a wide range of business roles including customer service, creating marketing materials, communicating with the public, and managing inventory

Woodland High School’s agriculture department announces the 33rd Annual FFA Plant Sale featuring in-person shopping on Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6. The Plant Sale is open to anyone who wants to peruse the amazing plants grown by our horticulture students with operating hours on Friday, May 5 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 6 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

While horticulture students certainly learn about the growing process of plants from germinating seeds to harvesting the full-grown plants, in-person shopping offers valuable learning experiences for students as they operate and manage the greenhouse throughout the annual plant sale. Students take on a wide range of business roles including customer service, creating marketing materials, communicating with the public, managing inventory, and more. 

“The plant sale is a community tradition that offers students and community members the opportunity to interact and share their passion for horticulture,” said Kendra Pearce, Horticulture teacher for Woodland High School. 

Each school year, students choose what type of plants they want to grow and care for the plants without the use of pesticides or herbicides. Students begin by learning the process of how to grow the plants themselves while developing their skills in plant science including plant biology and physiology; conducting lab experiments; proper care and management of commercial plant crops; and integrated pest management. In addition, students learn about careers and professional development opportunities within the horticulture industry with curriculum designed around industry standards, all aligned with state science requirements including common core.

“During the second semester, as students prepare for the plant sale itself, we focus on professional skills such as marketing techniques, customer service, leadership and communication skills, and retail sales including pricing, budgeting, and inventory,” explained Pearce. “The skills they learn in the agriculture and other CTE classes at WHS are designed to prepare them professionally for the future, whether they are college-bound, pursuing technical or apprenticeship opportunities, joining the armed forces, or entering the workforce.” 

This year’s plant sale features a wide variety of vegetables, geraniums, bedding plants, succulents, hanging baskets, and much more – just in time for Mother’s Day. The full plant list with prices is expected to be available by April 21 from the Plant Sale website: www.woodlandschools.org/whs-plant-sale

The plant sale will take place Friday, May 5 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 6 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Woodland High School’s greenhouse located at 1500 Dike Access Road, Woodland, WA 98674. The student store accepts payment in the form of cash and personal check (sorry, no credit cards accepted).

Learn more about how Woodland Public Schools educates students and serves the community by visiting the dedicated news webpage at www.woodlandschools.org/news/wsd

Information provided by Woodland School District.