The idea for an improved Perham High School greenhouse was planted about a year ago, and now, that idea's in full bloom. The recently-relocated and upgraded greenhouse saw its first successful growing season this past spring semester.
The high school has long had a greenhouse for students to learn and grow, but for the past few years, it was located off-site as it awaited a new permanent home. It had remained on the former school grounds for a while after the new high school was built and then was moved to a temporary site until ready for use.
"The importance of having a greenhouse on-site allows our science and agriculture team to expand learning opportunities for students at PHS," said Principal Ehren Zimmerman. "We live in the middle of a highly successful agricultural community and region, and we want to be able to prepare students for very successful careers in these fields."
Before students could use the greenhouse this year, it needed to be set up and made continuously operational. That was the job of Perham School District Building Manager Russ Winkels. Because the greenhouse is floorless, he and the school decided to put concrete runways around where tables in the greenhouse sit. With that set-up, instead of a full floor, water can drain through the tables and into the sand below without pooling on the ground.
Once the structure's foundation was built, workers were able to move the greenhouse on top of it.
Read the complete article at www.perhamfocus.com.