Emily Damro.

Imagine, it is your first week of school and you can’t wait to start your horticulture class. You get to class, find a friend, and feel the excitement build as your ag teacher walks the class out to the greenhouse for a tour. As she walks, your teacher starts explaining greenhouse functions and the technology available to optimize plant production in greenhouse systems. But then, she starts to end her sentences with qualifiers of, “but ours is currently broken” and the real zinger, “the hail damage basically makes the temperature control impossible in here so we have a hard time with temperature control.” This is the reality of Union High School’s current greenhouse. Built almost 29 years ago, the Borton Greenhouse at Union High School in La Porte City has served faithfully over the years. From plant propagation labs to student experiments for science fair and community engagement events, there is no doubt that the greenhouse is a valuable asset to Union High School’s agricultural education program, the La Porte-Dysart FFA program, and the community. Annually, the greenhouse serves nearly 60 students through Introduction to Agriculture and Horticulture courses.

A functional greenhouse with modern technology is slated to be part of the November 2025 bond issue presented by the Union Community School District. The greenhouse is well accompanied by other necessities of the district to provide a safe and engaging school experience for students. A roof that can withstand Iowa’s fluctuating weather patterns and an updated HVAC system are hard to argue – and I urge you to consider investments in the district’s Career and Technical Education programs to be valuable as well when considering the ‘sticker price’ of the bond.

The district has worked diligently to obtain quotes for a greenhouse replacement and has considered options from various quality companies that service schools in the Midwest. Regardless of the brand of greenhouse that will crown Union High School with the successful passing of the bond issue, the job outlook for students who find a passion in plant science at UHS will be promising. An interest in plant science that often starts in a school greenhouse such as ours can lead to careers such as greenhouse manager, agronomist, and business owner. These are all careers that are thriving in our community and benefit the residents of our district. National FFA rates all of these careers in plant science, and more, to have good to excellent job outlooks meaning when our valued students are choosing a career and starting life after high school they will be able to find available and well-paid positions in these career paths.

Voters in the Union Community School District have the power to flip the script for current and future students at UHS. From a weathered, lacking greenhouse to student Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SE) in plant science being supported with space in the greenhouse or students earning thousands of dollars in scholarships for their plant experiments at the State Science and Technology Fair of lowa…a modern and functional greenhouse can make these positive learning experiences that position students for later career success a reality.

Emily Damro is Union High School’s ag instructor and FFA advisor.