US (NE): Generously given to replace frozen greenhouse plants

The unpleasant mishap McCool Junction Public School’s greenhouse experienced last winter had no effect on its grand opening last weekend. An impressive amount of foot traffic came through the 50-foot-long facility. Dana Hall, McCool’s ag instructor and FFA advisor, said the greenhouse is full of all kinds of plants, with flowers making up a majority of the amount.

“There are more than 600 geraniums in addition to numerous other kinds of flowers and vegetables in the greenhouse,” Hall said. “It’s packed in there.”

Hall added that seeing the greenhouse full of flowers is a good feeling considering what happened less than two months ago. “When I pulled into the parking lot at school that morning, I immediately knew something was wrong,” Hall said. “Frost covered the greenhouse and on the inside...everything was frozen.”

The incident occurred because of a mishap with the cords connecting the greenhouse’s heating system, but it was soon remedied. Hall called the school’s main office, which in turn released FFA members from their classes to help unload the plants from the greenhouse into the ag shop. The dire situation did not turn out as bad as Hall expected when all was said and done. “We rescued more than we thought, but most plants ended up dying,” Hall added.

Even though some could be saved, Hall knew she must replace the ones lost to the frost. The plants were necessary for her students to learn, sell and thereby raise money for next year’s supply.

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