With support from the Fall River School District, the CTE Supporters are seeking funds to construct a state-of-the-art greenhouse beginning August 2026. Currently, funds have come from grants and community businesses. The greenhouse will allow students to learn where food comes from, how it is grown, and how farm-to-table practices can improve access to nutritious foods through plant science.
Greenhouse integrates into the district’s curriculum, providing real-world, hands-on learning experiences that enhance students’ understanding of sustainable agriculture while equipping them with career-ready skills to contribute to the vitality of our communities.
Our greenhouse project goals and objectives include:
1. Construct a Greenhouse Facility beginning August 2026
- Build a 24’x40’ square-foot greenhouse equipped with climate control, irrigation systems, and advanced growing technologies.
2. Enhance Curriculum
- Develop new plant science curriculum to integrate greenhouse management courses aligned with state agricultural education standards to grow student enrollment from grades 6-12 in plant science, greenhouse management courses, crop science and sustainable agriculture.
3. Foster Partnerships
- Collaborate with local farmers/greenhouse growers, community businesses, organizations and residents to provide mentorship and resources in the field of plant science.
- Expand access to support hands-on plant science and greenhouse management training and development within the community, foster workforce training and ensure stronger collaboration between business and education partnerships.
4. Promote Sustainability
- Implement practices and education that encourage sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.
Greenhouse Program Area of Focus
A. Food Security
- Expand community partnerships. Student-led projects to grow vegetable plants and herbs for the community and donate to Columbus/Fall River food pantry to reduce food insecurity.
B. Quality of Life
- Serve as a hub for advancing agricultural technology, improving environmental stewardship and fostering community engagement to enhance quality of life.
C. Ag Advancement
- Provide modern, hands-on STEM learning in plant and crop science and encourage creativity.
- Introduce students to advanced agricultural technologies such as automated irrigation, hydroponics, and environmental monitoring systems.
- Attract and retain young, skilled and well-trained agriculturists to fill the more than 300 career pathways in agriculture.
D. K-12 Education/Youth Leadership
- Develop a new plant science curriculum to grow student enrollment from grades 6-12 in plant science, greenhouse management courses and sustainable agriculture.
- Collaborate with our school’s culinary education programs which value farm-to-table movement to grow fruit and vegetable plants for school foodservice to serve fresh, sustainable, locally grown produce.
E. Sustaining the Environment
- Teach students sustainable practices such as water conservation, integrated pest management, and soil health, directly impacting local ecosystems.
Greenhouse Implementation Plan and Timeline
Phase 1: Greenhouse Capital Fundraising: 3/15/25 – 6/1/2026 – Current Stage
• Greenhouse Planning and Design (Months 1-3)
• Touring other school greenhouses
• Secured greenhouse company builder – Wisconsin Greenhouse Company, Madison, WI – quote to build.
Phase 2: Construction and Installation (Months 4-8) – August to December 2026
• Fall River community is building the base foundation (concrete) and infrastructure for ongoing maintenance once built.
• Building of the greenhouse will be done by Wisconsin Greenhouse Company with advisor and student involvement.
Phase 3: Program Launch and Curriculum Integration (Months 9-12) – January 2027
• Start of Plant Science courses kick off for second semester with students
Phase 4: Evaluation and Community Engagement (Ongoing)
• Community ties to greenhouses for continued mentorship of plants, product selection and innovation
• CTE Supporters provide funding support for ongoing maintenance and enhancements with school district.
Capital Campaign to Support Building State-of-the-Art-Greenhouse
Help us make the Fall River School District Greenhouse a reality! We are grateful to the generous supporters who helping reach our fundraising goal of $110,000. $70,000 in funds secured to date from business donations & grants, including:
$30,000 has been fundraised so far by the CTE Supporters through Trivia Night
$10,000 Level Sponsors
$5,000 Level Sponsors
Fall River CTE Supporters 