The plant sale is open to anyone who wants to peruse the plants grown by Woodland High School’s horticulture students

Woodland High School’s agriculture department announces the 34th Annual FFA Plant Sale featuring in-person shopping on Friday, May 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Plant Sale is open to anyone who wants to peruse the plants grown by Woodland High School’s horticulture students.

While horticulture students learn about the growing process of plants from germinating seeds to harvesting the full-grown plants, the plant sale provides the real-world life experience of operating a commercial greenhouse as students operate and manage the greenhouse throughout the annual plant sale. Students take on all of the related business roles including customer service; marketing and advertising; 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. 

At the start of the 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 the professional skills required to operate a commercial greenhouse including marketing techniques; providing excellent 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 plant sale will take place Friday, May 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 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, personal check, and credit cards.

For more information including an inventory and price list, visit www.woodlandschools.org/whs-plant-sale.

Information provided by the Woodland School District.