Six students with gardening backgrounds make up a new club at Ottumwa High School.
Agriculture Club started slowly last fall and is gaining momentum, according to club sponsor, Thurston Gable. Gable is a social studies teacher who grew up on a cattle farm in northwest Iowa. He was involved in 4-H and Future Farmers of America, and was in an ag fraternity in college.
According to Gable, the club's purpose is to help students learn more about agriculture and career opportunities within that industry.
The club is using space in the OHS greenhouse to start growing lettuce and green beans. Two flats already are showing sprouts popping through the growing medium. They hope to expand to onions and tomatoes in the future. Several students are also interested in aquaponics and hydroponics. Gable hopes to help connect them to experts to help learn about these alternatives in agriculture. Club members include: Tyler Clubb, president; Grace Argueta, Efrain Reyes, Elijah Jacobs, and Robert Hull.
"I love gardening," said Argueta. "I like it as a hobby overall."
