Students grow more than trees at Parkwood Middle

At Parkwood Middle School, students are learning that growth takes time, patience and care, not just in the tree nursery they maintain, but in themselves.

The tree nursery, managed by members of the Parkwood Middle FFA (Future Farmers of America) chapter, has become a cornerstone of the school’s Sustainable Energy Academy. While FFA existed before the academy, the two programs align perfectly, offering students hands-on experience in sustainability, forestry and leadership.

“The tree nursery is a big part of our class experience that gets us outside and lets us put what we learn into practice,” said Lily Nance, a seventh grader and FFA vice president. “Ms. Ritter teaches us each job, then lets us maintain it and make decisions regarding the trees. I am only in seventh grade, but the nursery has doubled in size since I became a middle schooler.”

Seventh-grader Sawyer Snodgrass said the project shows the impact of long-term effort. “Taking care of the nursery and seeing how fast the trees grow makes me feel like I can leave an impact. Even when I reach high school, the trees I plant now will still be growing somewhere in Union County when I graduate.”

Lily said the program also inspires future goals. “Being in FFA and part of the nursery has made me more independent. I have learned the value of responsibility and how to take control of my own life. I’m considering being an agriculture teacher or working in the agriculture industry.”

Caring for the nursery requires consistent teamwork and organization. When weather permits, students divide into groups, each with a leader for the day. Responsibilities rotate and include watering, checking tree pots for weeds or overgrowth, and picking up litter around the nursery. Other groups move or transplant trees from smaller to larger pots. Once transplanted, each tree receives a weatherproof label noting its species, whether it is evergreen or deciduous, and the season and year it was planted.

Although the nursery operates with a 24/7 automatic irrigation system, students still hand water certain trees that require different moisture levels. Because half of the nursery sits in full sun, those pots tend to dry more quickly. Students use repurposed one-gallon milk jugs as watering cans, which were donated by teachers and peers, and also learn how to repair irrigation lines that may burst or detach from the main spout.

Students take pride in seeing results. “We are excited to show people what we have been working on and have all of our hard work pay off,” Lily said. “All funds raised from selling trees go back into the nursery and FFA program. Our goal is to become self-sustaining financially to send students to competitions, buy resources and give students more experiences.”

The Parkwood Middle FFA Chapter held its annual tree sale Oct. 18, giving students a chance to see the results of years of work while contributing to the community.

For eighth graders like Annalise Moore, the sale was a milestone. “I enjoyed watching the trees grow over time,” she said. “Now it’s a full circle moment getting to sell or donate the trees I helped plant in sixth grade.”

Annalise said the experience has also changed how she sees school. “In sixth grade, I wasn’t much of a talker and didn’t enjoy coming to school. Now, thanks to FFA, I enjoy school and look forward to events like the tree sale or Leadership Night, which are made possible by classes and projects like the tree nursery, thanks to Miss Ritter. It has changed the way I act, communicate and view life. I am excited to take part in the animal science pathway at the high school and complete my vet assisting certification.”

Eighth-grade FFA president Harley Figueroa said the program also helps students grow socially. “FFA has helped me learn to work better with other people and come out of my shell. Now I can express my opinions and have become very social.”

Megan Cruz Hernandez, an eighth grader and FFA parliamentarian, said the work is more challenging than it appears. “When we started the nursery, I thought that watering was the only maintenance, but winterizing and protecting the trees is a lot more work. I enjoy learning from Ms. Ritter and helping along with other students in class.”

New students are equally enthusiastic. Scarlett Goins, a sixth grader, said, “My family was part of FFA, and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity. Everyone talks highly of the program.”

Anastasia Balducci, another sixth grader, said older students help new members adjust. “They make us feel welcome and show us how to do things. It makes me feel more comfortable transitioning to middle school.”

Ritter said the nursery connects students to real-world environmental learning. “The tree nursery aligns with class curriculum and FFA competitions. Sustainable Energy Academy students experience the life cycle of a tree while learning the importance trees play in our daily lives. They gain responsibility and can see the impact in our community.”

“The Parkwood Cluster is a hidden gem where students belong and flourish,” Ritter added. “Students can now go to other schools or places in the community and recognize the trees they grew and helped plant.”

In planting seedlings and seeing their trees take root in the community, Parkwood Middle FFA students are learning that growth requires commitment, teamwork and effort—lessons that extend far beyond the nursery.