An educational greenhouse is coming to the WACO School District thanks in part to a grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation. WACO received a $115,000 WCRF grant for the $230,000 project. The remaining costs will be paid for by the school district. WACO Superintendent Ken Crawford estimates over 100 students are taking part in agriculture classes and FFA, “The amount of kids that are participating and wanting to be a part of that program, ag hits so many facets of life that they are just into and they love it. And it was a great addition for our community.”

Crawford says the greenhouse will be situated alongside the Ag Science Center that was established in part due to a large donation from Eichelberger Farms. He adds that the agricultural offerings are a benefit to students, “There’s just a lot of opportunities in the classrooms and the live animal area. And then when you have the greenhouse connected to it, it just opens up so many opportunities to hit so many different areas.”

The anticipated timeline is for bids on the project to go out in January with a bid approval in February. Construction will begin in March or April with an October completion if weather allows.