By Julianna Parker
University of Oklahoma construction science students started building a greenhouse Friday at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds.
The greenhouse will be used by the Cleveland County Master Gardener Association to extend the growing season of produce donated to charities, educate area residents about greenhouse use and conduct classes in the winter months, said Jim McDaniel, director of public relations for the Master Gardeners.
About 20 members of the Construction Students Association volunteered to build the greenhouse with materials purchased by the Cleveland County Extension Office.
CSA tries to have a community service construction project every semester. This year, Tracey Payton, horticulture extension educator, approached the group about building a greenhouse.
Sarah Brockhaus, a member of the Construction Students Association, said she was glad the group chose this project. The construction science junior participated in 4-H growing up.
"The fairgrounds is my second home, so it's nice to come back and see everybody again and be able to give back," Brockhaus said.
The holes were dug and concrete poured around the posts Friday afternoon in the western corner of the Cleveland County Fairgrounds.
"We'll let the concrete sit tonight and then come back and do the after portion," said Michael Ratcliff, construction science senior and president of CSA, Friday at the construction site.
The group is trying to finish the project today, he said.
CSA wanted to do the project because it uses the students' skills, and a greenhouse isn't too difficult to construct.
"With all of our general knowledge, we figured we'd be able to get it together," Ratcliff said. The greenhouse will be 20 feet by 48 feet and have gas and electric utilities.
A greenhouse has always been in the long-term plans for the Master Gardeners, Payton said. This greenhouse will let the Master Gardeners save some of the plants during the winter and start them earlier from seed, she said.
"It'll also serve as an educational place to have classes when it's cold," Payton said.
The greenhouse will be very helpful, especially as the weather starts to turn cool, McDaniel said. Master Gardeners were already beginning to put some plants in pots Friday.
"Now we can actually start potting things up and growing them inside where it's warm," McDaniel said.
Master Gardeners give tours to school and social groups, educating them on horticulture. More than 1,700 people visit their gardens each year and donate more than 1,000 pounds of fresh produce to charity.
The group is also a resource for local homeowners who have questions about gardening and landscaping.
Julianna Parker 366-3541 jparker@normantranscript.com
