Trending
"There is no better way to learn than by doing." A great example of that old saying is currently taking place at the K-12 Pickens School.
Pickens students planted and grew fresh produce in the school's greenhouse, and are now eating it from their school lunch trays.
The students have grown tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, squash, strawberries and lettuce. Along the way, they've learned about agriculture, and the value of hard work.
Construction of the Pickens School "high tunnel" -- a form of greenhouse that has retractable sides so that the area can be left open or closed in order to extend the harvest season -- began in the fall of 2022.
The high tunnel, which was donated by Plant the Seed Project WV, is approximately 30 feet wide by 48 feet long.
In the spring, students started planting seeds in containers. Once the vegetable beds were built, students planted their germinated crops in the high tunnel.
Pickens High School students are currently enrolled in agricultural courses through Tygarts Valley High School, taught by FFA teacher Lee Wright. Officials plan for elementary and middle school students to use the high tunnel as an outdoor classroom for science classes.
Pickens School officials hope that, through the high tunnel programs, students will become interested in agriculture at a young age, and will take the skills they learn at school and use them at home and after they graduate.
The entire project seems to be a great success, and we salute everyone at Pickens School who has been involved.
We also encourage other local schools to look into instituting such a program, which teaches students practical life skills, and also allows them to take pride in their accomplishments, as they enjoy the delicious fresh food on their lunch trays.