I know it is still freezing but spring is coming, so we’re working on horticulture projects for the spring.
Our focus is extending our short growing season as much as possible. We have put our donated hay bales (thank you hay donors) around our garden beds. The OYCC crew built a green house cover for the beds. We will set the cover on top of the hay bales to keep the cold out and let the sun in. This is a cheaper way to extend the growing season than building a large green house. Meanwhile in the green house we are starting the plants for the cold frames. So far we have cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and kohlrabi seedlings which we are transplanting into 6 pack planting pots. We will stick with the cold hardy type veggies for the earliest plantings in the cold frames. We will direct seed spinach and salad greens next. Spring flower starts are also being transplanted into the six packs and will be for sale next month. Mr. Durfee and the middle school students put tulip bulbs in pots awhile back, one pot is already blooming and the rest will soon.
With 2 periods in the shop a lot of different things are being created. On the wood side two pretty fancy dog houses were built by Tyler and Lance. Rachelle Witt built a nice children’s picnic table. Jackson made a small closet. Amos built a cabinet for a television. Jeff made wood frame to hold his bow and a stand for a sword.
On the shop metal side Mr. Brush has come in to show us how to use a plasma cutter and is assisting with arc welding training for students. The Advanced welders have been making things like brush guards, roll bars, and bumpers for their pickups. Tommy rebuilt an old boat trailer into a utility trailer.
The chicken tractor is finished and has some happy hens on board. The chickens are rototilling the upper field. The chicken tractor is a bio-secure moveable enclosure that allows the chickens free access to the bugs, weeds and minerals of the open field. The tractor is moved every few days to work and fertilize new ground. This the first project of our recently re- chartered Long Creek FFA program.
Gene Russell, Ag, Science and Technology Teacher
