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Opportunities Keep
Growing in Horticulture
BCTC
recently completed three new Connelly greenhouses at the East Campus for
us in it's Horticulture program. The greenhouses are connected to
 one another and are attached to the Horticulture complex.
Each greenhouse stands 30' x 40' and is equipped with automatic computerized
environment and watering systems. Two of the greenhouses feature rolling
benches in order to provide the maximum capacity for growing crops.
A weather-recording
instrument located outside the greenhouse complex records environmental
information such as temperature, wind speed, wind direction, sunlight
intensity, and rainfall. The information collected is sent to a computerized
controller, which automatically operates such features as heat, heat retention,
ventilation, shading, and supplemental lighting. Separate computerized
controls allow for the automation of watering through drip tubes, ebb
and flow, and misting. This is extremely beneficial over weekends and
holidays when students aren't available to water.
 Mr.
Gerald Witmer, East Campus principal, is excited about the opportunities
now available to Horticulture students studying greenhouse production.
"This greenhouse complex will offer the opportunity for our students
to practice and learn using some of the most recently developed technologies
used in the greenhouse industry," Mr. Witmer stated. He also praised
the efforts of teachers and students in the construction programs who
assisted with the project. According to Mr. Witmer, the sales representative
who sold the greenhouse package to BCTC could not believe the workmanship
demonstrated by our teachers and students in building this project. The
company was so impressed that they asked permission to have a photograph
of the greenhouse featured on their 2004 company catalog. "That kind
of recognition speaks volumes about the quality of our programs, teachers,
and students," said Mr. Witmer.
According to Mr.
Joseph Nawoczenski, Horticulture instructor, students will begin working
on spring bedding plants, perennials, and plant propagation. Future plans
for the greenhouse include growing seasonal and holiday plants. He encourages
anyone interested to stop and visit the Horticulture facility and to look
for upcoming seasonal sales flyers inviting them to purchase plants grown
by the students.
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