Spring plant sales support ag programs
Clinch River Community School agriculture teacher Kendra McCoig, left, rings up a sale for Bonita Ledgerwood of Oak Ridge on Friday. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
Both events – within shouting distance of each other – are held each spring to raise money for the agriculture programs of the community school and the local Future Farmers of America chapter.
For the community school, plant sale proceeds go right back into those programs for Clinch River students, said Kendra McCoig, agriculture teacher at the school.
Last Wednesday’s opening day was a great success, with people lined up to get in well before the scheduled 9 a.m. opening time, McCoig said.
“We had to go ahead and open at 8:45 because we had so many people here,” she said.
The school’s greenhouse is up on the hill next to the school.
To get there, though, you’ll first pass the FFA’s greenhouse, which is along Charles G. Seivers Boulevard next door to the high school.
McCoig said the community school has been holding the plant sales since it opened at the current location in the 2012-13 school year.
For the Clinch River Community School, plant sale hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, and the school accepts cash and checks, but no debit or credit cards.
As for the FFA greenhouse, sale hours are 8:45 a.m. till 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
FFA plant prices are $2.50 for a four-pack, $18 for a flat, and $15 to $20 for hanging pots. The FFA accepts checks, Cash, Venmo and CashApp for payment.
McCoig said the plans are to keep the community school’s sale going until May 1 or whenever the stock of plants runs out.
“We have Boston and Macho ferns, a dozen types of tomatoes and peppers, a host of other fruits and vegetables (watermelon, cantaloupe, cabbage, okra, cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, etc.), and a variety of herbs,” the school’s Facebook page says.
“Also available are annual and perennial bedding plants, and gorgeous hanging baskets.”
Clinch River Community School has students from kindergarten through 12th-grade, and is part of Anderson County Schools.
