KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The agricultural science class at Mountain Vista Middle School is gearing up for spring.

Seeds are being sown, and raised beds are being prepared for planting.

Flowers and vegetables, such as zinnias, sunflowers, tomatoes, chard, kale and lettuce are well on their way in the school’s small greenhouse.

Thanks to a donation from the Clearlake Trowel and Trellis Club, Mountain Vista will be installing a second greenhouse to give more cold-weather growing space.

For the past two years Mrs. Seely’s agricultural science have made landscape improvements to the MVMS campus, planting drought tolerant plants around buildings.

The students used academic skills such as mapping, calculating areas and estimating volumes of compost and top soil for the projects.

The students also test existing soils, research appropriate plants for the sites and formulate budgets.

However, the most popular activity in class is the tasting days where easy recipes are prepared using items harvested from the garden.

“Mrs. Seely's ag students are getting hands-on experience in germinating, planting, transplanting and caring for plants around campus,” said Mountain Vista Middle School Principal Tavis Perkins. “Mrs. Seely and her students have also been instrumental to the beautification of our campus. They have designed, planted, and now care for landscapes around the office building. Students feel pride in being a direct part of their school community.”

Kelseyville Unified School District has taken on a great role with its students in such a robust agricultural community.

Not only does agricultural science benefit the children growing up in an agricultural area, but it also is a trait being lost amongst the younger generations in today’s age.

Perhaps these students can pass these traits on to their own children to strengthen and build the Lake County community.