Grow Greenhouse Plants in Rented School Greenhouse/Cold-frame Space

SAE:

Description:

The Greenhouse Plant Industry is a large business that can be broken down into several different areas: Bedding Plants, Foliage Plants, Hanging Baskets, and Potted Plants.
Space can be rented in a school greenhouse for a student to carry out this SAE. Payment can be made in cash up-front, cash after-marketing or by a work agreement or a combination of any method. Method of payment should be agreed upon prior to start of SAE. Adherence to strict rental terms should prevail (this does not mean that terms could not be modified).
Probably need to take one specific type of plant to begin with according to experience and interest and add to it as abilities increase and space allowsw. Product demand should play a large role in determining enterprise to select.
Records should be kept on time as well as expenses. Any supply used from greenhouse should be charged against the SAE.
Profit-Loss should be determined at the end of SAE period.
The student should arrange for any additional help needed with the SAE. (Teacher should not do anything with the SAE unless specifically asked by the student).

Student will contract with teacher to rent a number of square feet in the greenhouse or coldframe.

Student should develop a plan to include:

-Crops to be produced

-Materials and Supplies needed to produce crop

-Calendar for crop growing schedule

-Marketing plan

Student will keep a record of activities including labor time, cost, crop management practices, and income as the crops are produced, marketed, and sold.

Examples of Crops:

Fall Sale: Cool Season Annuals, Poinsettias, Shrubs, Trees, Groundcovers

Spring Sale: Ferns / Hanging Baskets, Warm Season Annuals, Perennials, Shrubs, Trees, Groundcovers

Written by Eddie McKie and Teri Hamlin

Factors To Consider	Ranking: 1 = lowest 10 = highest
Time required	10
Investment	7
Equipment needed	2
Skills required	8
Facilities required	1
Land required	1
Labor Intensity	9
Potential for income	9
Transportation required	7
Expansion possibilities	6
Expertise needed	6
Advertising needed	6
Susceptible to disease	7
Susceptible to insects	8
Suitable for residential areas	1
	Other (specify)
Length of production cycle	Year Round depending on enterprise
Regional	no
When to start project	anytime

Notes:

Can be a successful enterprise for someone that might live in a residential area and does not have access to an area to do a SAE. Can teach responsibility for the production of a Horticulture crop than can be a excellent money-maker as well as develop a more self-dependent student.

Marketing:

Student may choose to sale plants in connection with local school plant sale or contract with individuals, local nurseries or other businesses.