A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held March 28 for a new greenhouse at Sherrard High School, Rock Island County. (Photo by Brittney Belha)

News article from FarmWeekNow.com

Sherrard High School officials in Rock Island County unveiled a new high-tech greenhouse that will allow the school to expand its science curriculum and incorporate more in-depth studies of botany, agriculture and environmental science.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the $625,000 project was held on March 28.

The project expanded the footprint of the 1994 structure by 1,000 feet and added various upgrades, including heated flooring, a weather station with an automated interior shade cloth and roof vent and a high-intensity grow light system.

“When we were in here planting (before), some parts of the greenhouse weren’t heated, so it got really cold,” said Lily Passno, FFA vice president. “Now, we can come here in the middle of winter ... and it’ll be like a hot summer day.”

The agriculture department plans to use the technology for classes to explore hydroponic plant production, aquaculture, aquaponics and focused research with agricultural industry professionals.