ECHS Landscape & Horticulture Students Complete National FFA Living To Serve Grant

Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at 9:48 AM

By East Central FFA, news release

This is part of an ongoing project called EC Re-Leaf, and was done without any costs to the school.

East Central FFA Chapter in promoting their EC Re-Leaf project at East Central High School. Photo provided.

(St. Leon, Ind.) - When you visit East Central High School, and you enter the building at the Performing Arts Center entrance or the east entrance you will notice new landscaping that was completed by East Central High School Horticultural Science and Landscape Management students as a part of a $3,000 National FFA Organization Living to Serve Grant that the FFA chapter received in the fall semester of 2020. This is part of an ongoing project called EC Re-Leaf, and was done without any costs to the school. EC Re-Leaf promotes the use of native plants in the landscape.

The Landscape Management students began the project by removing old juniper shrubs from the existing planting beds with help from the Sunman-Dearborn maintenance staff and workers from Maxwell Construction. An initial design was drawn up, and plants were ordered from Natorp’s in Mason, Ohio. Plants were delivered in September to complete the landscape beds at the Performing Arts Center entrance, and in May to complete the project at the east entrance. Students correctly planted the shrubs and perennials, and also mulched the areas. Landscape Management and Horticultural Science students will provide continual care and maintenance to the plantings from now on.

The plants consist of 86 native, deciduous shrubs, and 96 native perennials which included flowering plants and native clump-forming grasses. The shrubs were planted by the Landscape Management students, and the perennials were planted by the Horticultural Science students. All of the plants will provide not only an attractive landscape, but also food and habitat for bird species, pollen and nectar for pollinators, and will give visitors to the high school a chance to see how native plants can be used in the landscape.

This area will also have signage to identify the plants, and will have barriers to keep guests and students from walking through the beds.

This planting is a welcome addition to the high school, and provided students in the ECHS agriculture program and FFA chapter another practical, real world experience.

Questions about the project can be directed to: Roy Johnson- Agriculture Instructor & FFA Advisor Email- rjohnson@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

More from Local News

Events

New Chapter Begins at Aurora Emergency Rescue Unit

Out with the old and in with the new.

UPDATE: Police Locate Driver After Hit and Run on Tanners Creek Drive

The incident took place on Monday afternoon.

Injuries Reported in Train vs. Street Sweeper Accident in Aurora

The accident took place Wednesday morning near CVS.

VIDEO: Noah Knigga Arrives for His First Day of College Football Practice

Knigga is a freshman at Eastern Michigan University.

2025 EIAC Girls Tennis All-Conference Team Announced

Greensburg won the conference this season with a 7-0 record.

Harrison HS Track Stars to Compete on National Stage

Adidas and New Balance will host respective national events this week.

On Air

Chelsie playing
Fox News - Fox News National Newscast

Maddie & Tae Fly 6:58
Jason Aldean Big Green Tractor 6:50
Tracy Lawrence Time Marches On 6:47
Thomas Rhett Marry Me 6:40