Volunteers needed to set up hoop house

Recently, two grants were awarded which will benefit the Thermopolis Middle School Farm to School program. Teacher Becky Martinez said one of the grants, provided through the Wyoming Department of Agriculture and the University of Wyoming, will provide for a hoop house on the west side of the building.

The hoop house is a 15-foot by 39-foot structure. Though similar to a greenhouse, Martinez explained it is different in the fact that it is made of rounded PVC pipe and heavy plastic. Though not heated, so growing would not be possible in the winter, the hoop house would extend the growing season from March into September.

About 70 to 80 hoop houses have been set up around Wyoming, Martinez said. As part of the process three engineers will come out to oversee construction, but at least 20 adult volunteers are needed for the actual building of the hoop house on Tuesday, June 13. Students can help as well, though adults will handle operating heavier equipment. The building will be an all-day process, and volunteers will be fed lunch; water will also be on-hand.

A second grant, the Toolbox for Education through Lowe’s, provides $5,000 which will be used to expand the school garden, Martinez said, growing it from a 32-foot by 32-foot plot to 64-foot by 32-foot. Students in the Farm to School program will be specifically working on potatoes, Martinez said, referring to the work as Growing Spuds to Grow Youth. They will also be growing corn, as Kent Hessenthaler donated some seed corn after speaking to students about his operation.

In the Farm to School program, crops grown are used in the school cafeteria; last year saw student-grown potatoes and apples served. Martinez said they are looking to use the hoop house to grow things to supplement the salad bar, such as different types of lettuce, carrots and tomatoes. They also plan to set up some potato towers.

Those who would like to help set up the hoop house should be at the school at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, and be prepared for a full day of work. Those with questions, or who want to volunteer, can call Martinez at 864-3674 or 921-9339.