From April 13th-16th, the week after spring break, Green Level FFA will be hosting their annual plant sale! During school days, the sale will be open from 10am-6pm, and during the weekend, the sale will be open from 9am-4pm. The sale will be held at Green Level’s Greenhouse, which is located next to the bus loop. 

     The Plant Sale is organized by a small group of students on the Plant Sale Committee led by Ms. Hight, the Green Level Agricultural teacher and FFA staff advisor. The plants sold are ordered 9 months in advance, and they are planted, grown, and maintained by the committee, FFA members, and students taking Horticulture electives. The categories of plants you can find at the sale include annuals, perennials, succulents, combo pots, hanging pots, and vegetables/herbs. 

     The profit earned from the plant sale is put toward Green Level’s agricultural program. More specifically, it goes toward sponsoring FFA meetings, state officers, scholarships, field trips, and inventory for the next plant sale. In the words of Chelsea Pham, a junior on the Plant Sale Committee, “The plant sale proceeds go to building the future careers of our students.” 

     At this point, you may be asking yourself, what exactly is FFA? FFA, or Future Farmers of America, is a CTSO here at Green Level. According to Cate Taylor, the president of FFA, “FFA focuses on growing leadership through participation in different industry based competitions, conferences, field trips, and guest speakers. It’s the largest student-led organization in the nation, creating the next generation of the world’s food producers”. If you are interested in joining FFA, or any CTSO, read more here.

     By purchasing an item from the plant sale, you are supporting the agricultural education here at Green Level, the importance of which can be found all around you. Everytime you go to the grocery store and purchase something basic such as a carrot or lettuce, do you ever stop and think about how that got there? According to Ms. Hight, “Agriculture is the number one industry in North Carolina.” Not only is it the largest industry in NC, but the largest industry in the world, employing over one billion people. Agriculture builds the economy and sustains the life of most nations and their inhabitants. Every human being is reliant on agriculture, and the vastness of the field is what makes it so fun to explore. 

     According to Cate Taylor, the importance of agricultural education isn’t the only reason to consider FFA. “Most importantly, FFA is a community. The friends made in the FFA are lifelong friends who will support you at your lowest, and praise you at your highest. The moment you put on the blue jacket is the moment you are a part of this national family.” FFA, while it focuses on agriculture, isn’t limited solely to those who wish to pursue a career in it. It provides an opportunity to build friendships and cultivate leadership skills through a healthy and positive environment. 

     If you wish to support Green Level students and staff, make sure to check out the Plant Sale from April 13th-16th! And if you’re interested in agriculture, or simply trying to find a purpose here at Green Level, sign up for an FFA meeting on AllTimely and join this national family!