Planting Seeds Beyond the Classroom: Growing Skills Through Experience
Whiteville FFA members participate in greenhouse work as part of hands-on learning. Photo courtesy of Savanna Elkins.
This school year, Whiteville FFA members have gained an opportunity to learn through hands-on experiences with the opening of the chapter’s new greenhouse, with guidance from Whiteville FFA advisor and agriculture teacher Ashley Fowler.
In 2024, Whiteville FFA received the North Carolina Career and Technical Education Agriculture Program Grant for $100,000, and the project finished construction in May of 2025. Instead of learning about plants only through classwork and teaching, students in the horticulture class can step outside the classroom and apply their knowledge in a real-world setting.
The greenhouse has become an important learning space for students and members of the Whiteville FFA Chapter. Members of the horticulture class spend time planting, watering, fertilizing and monitoring a variety of plants. These tasks help students not only understand what it takes to successfully grow healthy plants, but also apply teamwork skills and learn valuable responsibility.
”I’m a plant person,” says Carrie Medford who is part of the horticulture class and an athlete at Whiteville High School. “I like being able to take care of plants and work in the new greenhouse.”
Students are currently working hard to prepare plants for the upcoming Whiteville FFA plant sale in April. The plant sale allows students to share the results of their hard work with the community while supporting the chapter as well. From planting seeds to maintaining the greenhouse environment, every step teaches students the importance of patience and dedication.
In addition to learning about plant care, students are also gaining important life skills that will benefit them in the future. Working in the greenhouse helps students develop problem-solving abilities, communication skills and confidence as they take on different responsibilities. These experiences allow students to see the results of their effort over time, which can be both encouraging and motivating.
The greenhouse also helps students explore possible careers in agriculture, horticulture and environmental science. By spending time working directly with plants and greenhouse systems, students can better understand what these career paths might look like in the real world. For some students, this opportunity may inspire them to continue studying agriculture after high school.
Overall, the new greenhouse is more than just a building; it is a place where students can grow not only plants, but also their knowledge, skills and passion for agriculture. As construction nears completion and students continue their work, the Whiteville FFA Chapter looks forward to seeing how this new space will impact future classes and the community.
