Excel TECC plants the seeds for future careers
May 20, 2016
Excel TECC Environmental & Agricultural Education Career Technical Program hosted its yearly plant sale at Solon High School on Tuesday, during which they sold more than ten varieties of annuals and herbs. The sale, located outside the cafeteria, lasted throughout all five lunch periods. All of its profits benefited the Future Farmers of America student organization.
Ed Tuhela, SHS alumnus and head of the Landscape Construction & Design program, supervised the three horticulture students running the sale. He explained that the roughly 75 students in the horticulture program grew the plants at the Gates Mills Excel TECC location utilizing one of three available greenhouses. After working at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, Tuhela became interested in teaching, and has worked with Excel TECC for over 25 years.
The Excel TECC students grew annuals such as petunias, geraniums, begonias and coleus.
“We teach the students how to plant the seeds, germinate [them], move them in different containers, keep track of them [and] make sure there’s no insects or diseases on them so people can buy them for their yard,” Tuhela said.
Tuhela’s students, five of which attend SHS, work from winter until spring growing plants to sell. Because of his studies in landscaping at The Ohio State University, Tuhela also teaches students how to use equipment such as tractors.
SHS junior and Environmental & Agricultural Education student Jordan Drake said he was optimistic about the day’s sales, even during the first official selling period.
Drake began this program this past August in hopes of pursuing a career in landscaping. This is his second time working on a plant sale, as he also participated in the Christmas sale.
“[Excel TECC has] been fun,” Drake said. “It helped me learn all the plants and…how to work on machines.”
Kai Beller, a junior at Brush High School and another first-year participant in the Excel TECC program, felt a similar sense of optimism about sales. He specializes in the landscaping and construction program, particularly in heavy machinery; this is his first time participating in a plant sale.
“I like working outside,” Beller said. “ A little dirt never hurt anyone.”
The horticulture students conduct plant sales at the ten school districts that make up the Excel TECC
From right to left: Kai Beller, Jordan Drake, Ed Tuhela and Joe Gantous, who’s in 8th grade and joining the landscaping program next year.
consortium, including Aurora, Beachwood and Orange. The plants range in price from $1-$10, depending on the type and size.
For any students interested in agriculture and landscaping, both Drake and Beller highly recommend Excel TECC.
Drake explained that the program fit greatly with his love of nature and planting, and he felt that it also helped improve his teamwork skills.
“It’s just a fun way to learn how to get along and work with other people,” he explained.
Beller is highly appreciative of the opportunities that this program grants him, as he plans to own a landscaping and construction business in the future– not to mention the fact that he “get[s] paid to play with dirt.”
“Whether you want to go into landscaping or floriculture, greenhouses or any other career path — just go for what you want to do because there’s no point in working a job you don’t like,” Beller said.