VERNON, Connecticut – Students and staff in Rockville High School's Agricultural Science and Technology Education program are making wreaths, porch pots, holiday centerpieces and birch reindeer that they will be selling, along with poinsettias, Christmas trees and students' crafts, at Thursday's FFA Holiday Sale.
The sale is from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the RHS ASTE building and all are welcome.
The sale is the key fundraiser for the Rockville High School FFA chapter and gives ASTE students the opportunity to showcase some of the many of skills they learn.
Students grew the poinsettias, harvested the trees from a Christmas tree farm on land leased from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and have been making wreaths and other items.
Making wreaths is not as easy as it seems, sophomore Maya Martin said. "It's really hard!"
Not so, said Piper Jones, also a sophomore. "I thought it was going to be harder," Piper said.
The annual sale is a big deal for the FFA Chapter and gives students a chance to engage with the community, with program alumni and others, said Ashley Lanz, the department's animal science teacher.
ASTE Chair Erika Bahler said students are making about 200 wreaths that will be for sale along with the birch reindeer, Christmas trees and other items. They will also be selling items they have produced, she said.
The Holiday Sale gives students practical and entrepreneurial experience because many agricultural businesses produce holiday products this time of year, she said.
Devon Belknap, a sophomore, was particularly proud of their wreath. "We really want to make sure everything we do is as perfect as possible," Devon said.