The Mountaineer

Issue date: 11/20/06 Section: Feature

Media Credit: Noel Aguirre A row of poinsettias bask in the sun at the new greenhouse located on campus

Mt. SAC is noted nationwide for being a premier community college. Mt. SAC has outstanding programs, winning sports teams, and is home to one of the largest student populations in the state.

Horticulture is among these top programs, which now includes a state-of-the-art greenhouse.

The American Heritage dictionary defines a greenhouse as a structure, usually of glass, in which temperature and humidity can be controlled for the cultivation or protection of plants. Jesus Ramirez, instructor and head of the horticulture department said, "This is a state-of-the art-greenhouse, with a retractable roof."

He estimates the production of this greenhouse is roughly 10 years in the making. It took that long to raise funds and complete the steps necessary to launch production.

Ramirez also says when crops rain damaged, the horticulture department can put these crops in the greenhouse and retract the roof so they get plenty of sun. If it begins to rain, the roof can be closed to prevent further rain damage to the crops.

The greenhouse will be used by lab students. The greenhouse provides an example of crops that can benefit from this type of environment.

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