JAMES WOOD

Staff Writer

Shelbyville Central High School (SCHS) is hosting its second annual plant sale in conjunction with the Agriculture Career and Technical Education (CTE) horticulture program directed by Morgan Rainey.

With over 35 plant species cultivated over the last two years, Rainey has taught three students this year about the knowledge and skills necessary to run the greenhouse at the off-campus CTE Annex Building.

She emphasized that the intention of running this program is to equip her students with not only knowledge about horticulture and agriculture as a whole but to grow in ways that can help outside the field as well.

“It’s not just about growing plants,” said Rainey. “They’re learning all kinds of skills like professionalism, product knowledge and management needed to run the plant sale.”

She expressed her confidence in her students and their development throughout this school year.

“Our goal is to help students grow as much as possible by their senior year,” she continued. “I would be confident to put these students in front of any board of directors.”

She also addressed the importance of helping the students who choose to continue their education in agriculture. Throughout the year, the class has toured various agricultural operations across the region with the goal of exposing students to the agriculture industry in Bedford County.

“We try to open these kids’ eyes to local agriculture and we’ve had some students go on to study it after high school.”

SCHS CTE Assistant Principal Michael McCoin shared his enthusiasm about the CTE programs and their teachers, including the agriculture programs.

“The great thing about this facility is that students get to see things they have never seen before,” said McCoin. “I appreciate the care that the teachers have for their students.”

The plant sale began on April 22. With hours lasting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the sale will continue until all plants are sold out.