Tommy Harmon (left), Lexington Technology Center FFA advisor; with FFA members Cody Barton,
Ryan Thompson, Mike Duncan, Chris Hiatt, Cassidy Reeh, Colson Callaham, Ms. Nancy Bunch, an official
with the Governor’s Mansion; and other FFA members John Roof, Ellie Mintz, Josh Brewton, Stephanie Green,
Robert Calamas, Austin Yingling and Erik Richardson at the Presentation of the Poinsettias to the Governor’s Mansion.
LEXINGTON HORTICULTURE STUDENTS CONTRIBUTE POINSETTIAS
TO GOVERNOR’S MANSION
COLUMBIA, SC…. Lexington Technology Center Horticultural Science students continued their annual tradition of producing and contributing poinsettias to decorate the Governor’s Mansion for the Christmas Season when they presented the plants on Monday, November 29, 2010.
The poinsettias were grown by the students in a state-of-the-art greenhouse facility on the technology center campus as part of their comprehensive training in Horticulture Science and Greenhouse Management. The production of poinsettias is a part of the green industry which is among the fastest growing segments of South Carolina’s agribusiness.
The Lexington Technology Center has one of the most outstanding green industry education programs in the nation under the direction of Tommy Harmon, Agricultural Education instructor. Students who complete the Horticultural Science program at the center are eligible for three hours of college credit through an articulation agreement with the Department of Horticulture at Spartanburg Community College.
The Lexington Horticultural Science students are active in the National FFA Organization (formerly known as the Future Farmers of America) which encourages community service activities by its members. The Lexington students consider their presentation of poinsettias to decorate the Governor’s Mansion to be among the outstanding community service projects carried out by the local FFA chapter each year.
The Presentation of Poinsettias event was planned and coordinated by John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA Organization, in concert with staff at the Mansion.