Middle school greenhouse to be renovated

The Sisters Middle School is getting a facelift, with help from local education and gardening enthusiasts.

Members of the Sisters Science Club met with school teachers, administrators and a Sisters Garden Club representative last month to plan renovations for the greenhouse. Thanks to a generous gift from the Sisters Garden Club, the renovations are about to begin under the direction of David Hiller, Rebecca Sokol and Kit Stafford. They will be working with Leland Bliss, who is assisting the project for the Sisters School

District.

There are plans to expand the outdoor footprint of the greenhouse as well as renovate water and heating systems within.

"From the look of the plastic roof," noted Hiller as snow threatened to break through, "we'll be doing some work up there also."

The project has come together with generous support from community businesses including Sweeney Plumbing, Sisters Tree Service and Energyneering.

The teachers hope to start planting about April 1, as the third trimester begins. One goal is to offer green drink smoothies and hearty soups for the celebration of Earth Day, an event currently being planned by Sisters Park & Recreation District for early June. Other goals include using the greenhouse as a laboratory where students can experiment with different soils, watering systems, composting, and growing techniques.

"As we develop the seed-to-table program," Superintendent Jim Golden commented, "we'll want to incorporate it into our broader plan of wellness for our students and community."

Students will have the opportunity to take their produce to farmer's markets, local restaurants and their own school cafeterias. In addition to growing vegetables, the greenhouse project will include a program for growing native species - grasses, shrubs, trees, to assist in various restoration projects.