The Minden Agriculture Education Program and FFA Chapter are working to raise money to purchase an agriculture building and greenhouse. The greenhouse will be primarily used and managed by the agriculture students and FFA members. There will be opportunities for students throughout Minden Public Schools to benefit from the agriculture building and greenhouse in addition to the Minden community. The Minden FFA Chapter and FFA Alumni and Supporter groups are seeking financial support to reach these opportunities.
There will be a fully functioning classroom, kitchenette, and restrooms. This building will be connected to the greenhouse via a vestibule. The main entrance will be on the east side of the building.
The greenhouse will be 30 x 48 ft. and serve as a learning space for students throughout Minden Public Schools. This facility will allow the Minden FFA Chapter to have plant sales, host community workshops, and conduct science projects.
What is the total cost?
The needs listed above have an estimated cost of $650,000. This does not include consumable materials (soil, plants, pots, fertilizer, etc.)
Greenhouse = $75,500
Building Materials = $314,500
Building Furnishings = $150,000
Concrete and Utilities = ~$50,000
Contingency = $60,000
How will donors be recognized?
All greenhouse donors will be recognized in a press release and/or plaque in the greenhouse. Businesses and individuals that donate more than $5,000 will receive recognition on a sign outside of the greenhouse. Donation levels to be recognized on the sign include:
Platinum Level = $25,000 or more
Gold Level = $15,000 - $20,000
Blue Level = $7,500 - $10,000
Greenhand Level = $2,500 - $5,000
Discovery Level = $500 - $1,000
All donations need to be made to: Minden Schools Foundation
Minden Schools Foundation
PO Box 301
Minden, NE. 68959
Benefits of this project:
•Real World Hands-On Learning
•Critical Thinking with Experiments and research
•Inquiry Based Learning - Not “Sit and Get" learning
•Extend Growing Season for Existing School garden
•Growing Space for Winter Months
•Grow larger variety of plants (i.e. bedding plants, house plants)
•School Based Enterprises (Student Lead Businesses)
•Cooperative Activities between High School, Middle School, and Elementary students
•Grow plants that could be added to school landscape
•Relates to Health & Wellness Program
•“Farm to Fork” produce for cafeteria
•Expose students to new foods & nutritional opportunities.
• Community workshop opportunities
•Expansion of existing community & school gardens
• Potted arrangements and landscaping for the community and city of Minden.
•Utilize local experts for project planning & advice.
•Cooperative Activities with Senior Center, Daycares, & Garden Clubs.