Emily Damro.

The La Porte-Dysart FFA Chapter is inviting the community to help grow the future of agricultural education at Union High School.

In 2026, the chapter is launching the Greener Futures Greenhouse Campaign which is a multi-year effort to raise $130,000 to renovate the educational greenhouse at Union High School. The campaign aims to raise funds to renovate our facility to expand hands-on learning opportunities for students.

The proposed greenhouse will serve three primary purposes. First, it will act as an incubator for FFA Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) such as school-based enterprise plant sales and individual student learning experiences. Second, it will provide dedicated lab space for agricultural education classes which will serve the majority of the agricultural education program annually. Third, it will engage the community in farm-to-plate education through providing a solid foundation for growing vegetables in the horticulture lab to provide produce for the school lunch program. By having access to a renovated greenhouse, students at Union High School will gain real-world experience in horticulture, plant science, and agricultural business.

Funds raised will support the greenhouse structure and installation, as well as essential systems such as heating, ventilation, environmental controls, irrigation benches, water purification and testing systems, and instructional supplies and signage. Together, these components will create a modern, fully equipped learning laboratory for students at Union High School.

The greenhouse fundraising campaign will unfold in phases with initial work focused on planning, finalizing design details, securing approvals, and writing grants with a goal of raising $70,000. The Community Communication Phase, in 2026-2027, will seek major gifts from businesses, agricultural producers, and alumni aiming to raise an additional $30,000. In 2027, the FFA chapter will lead a public fundraising phase featuring community events and outreach efforts to raise $25,000. Construction is expected to begin once funding benchmarks are met, with completion and a ribbon-cutting celebration planned for 2028. In-kind donations and services are estimated at $5,000, starting with an initial offer from Tama-Benton Cooperative to assist with the removal of the current greenhouse structure.

Throughout the campaign, the FFA chapter and school will provide regular updates through social media, newsletters, and community presentations as requested. Donors will be recognized through public signage, updates in school and FFA communications, and acknowledgment at our re-dedication ceremony. Community members and local businesses are encouraged to take part in the Greener Futures campaign. By working together as a community, the La Porte-Dysart FFA Chapter believes they can grow more than plants — they can grow opportunity, leadership, and a strong agricultural future for students at Union High School.

Emily Damro is the Union High School Agriculture Education Teacher and La Porte-Dysart FFA Chapter Advisor. She can be reached at: e_damro@union.k12.ia.us.