Monterey High School Greenhouse To Hopefully Be Ready By January

Putnam County School System has approved a bid for Monterey High School’s new greenhouse, bringing the project one step closer to reality.

CTE Supervisor Jackie Vester said the $95,000 bid will be funded through the Innovative School Model Grant. She said the building will be located just behind the ag classrooms at Monterey High School.

“We have a signed agreement with the Atlas Greenhouse Company,” Vester said. “They’re actually going to send people out and assemble the greenhouse on site.”

Vester said the greenhouse will have both drip and mist watering systems, a digital heating and cooling unit, as well as growing tables. She said as soon as it is assembled, the students will be able to begin use of the greenhouse immediately.

Vester said they are hopeful the greenhouse will be completed by January 2024, so students can host their first-ever spring garden sale. She said the fall semester of the school year will include greenhouse maintenance coursework so students will learn about the process before getting hands-on lab experience.

“This is a huge investment for Monterey High School, they are the only high school (in the district) to not have a greenhouse,” Vester said. “And not only does it help students to gain hands-on experiences, it’s also a school-based enterprise. It will allow that program to make money to fund additional CTSO Career and Technical Studnet Organization activities, and allow students to travel without so much out-of-pocket costs.”