Heather Bell
RADFORD – The weather outside may still be cold and blustery, but that isn’t stopping Radford High School horticulture students from preparing for spring.
Each year, as part of their course work, Katie Givens’ horticulture students plant and grow an array of beautiful blooms in the school’s greenhouse, getting them ready to plant in the large planters that can be found outside many of Radford’s businesses and government buildings. The planters are a project of the Radford Economic Development Authority (EDA), and the cooperative effort between the students and the city is a benefit to both sides, says Givens and Radford Economic Development Director Kim Repass.
“It is a wonderful opportunity for our Economic Development Authority (EDA) to partner with the horticulture class at Radford High School as part of our POP Grant Program that is provided to our local businesses,” said Repass recently. “These students work hard all year and are able to provide their product to our local businesses at the end of the year.”
“It instills a sense of pride and investment into our community while giving the EDA the opportunity to work with our school system,” she continued. “It’s a win-win and a partnership we look forward to fostering every year.”
Givens said the project is great for her students as well.
“My students benefit greatly from this partnership in many ways,” she said. “They get to see the project start, from selecting flowers and colors to planting, caring for, and growing these flowers for months in the greenhouse, and finally getting to plant them. It is honestly a full-year project, and it’s great for kids to see every detail in the planning process for this.”
Givens said the gives her students a visible, public result of their work.
“My students are truly proud of the work they have done when it comes to planting around the city,” she said. “They will go so far as to even take their parents to the different planting sites and take pictures with their work. This is why we do what we do; our kids’ pride in their work is unmatchable.”
“I love this partnership with the city,” she continued. “It truly benefits everyone involved, from my students, business owners where planters are located, city officials, and visitors. I am so thankful we have this opportunity.”
