Marion, Indiana –Ivy Tech Community College is pleased to announce that DuPont Pioneer has donated $20,000 toward the Greenhouse Project for the Agriculture Program at Ivy Tech’s Marion campus.  DuPont Pioneer Area Manager David Henderson sponsored this grant.

One of the primary uses for the proposed greenhouse will be in agriculture classes at Ivy Tech focusing on horticulture, agronomy, and animal management and research.  Students will get hands-on opportunities and a better understanding of plant growth patterns and nutrient needs in a controlled environment, according to Claire Berger, Ivy Tech Ag program chair.

“Giving students at Ivy Tech Community College the opportunity to gain hands on experience and learn more about agronomy and horticulture gives them the real world experience needed for when they enter the workforce,” says David Henderson, DuPont Pioneer area manager.  “DuPont Pioneer is proud to fund this project.  Students at Ivy Tech will benefit greatly from having a greenhouse on campus.”

In addition to providing valuable hands-on instruction, the greenhouse will be also have many other uses, said Berger.  “The greenhouse will be split into two distinct areas - one for traditional horticulture/agriculture research and study, the other for aquaponics.   The other parts of the greenhouse will be used in classes such as Introduction to Crop Production, Soil Science, Horticulture, Biology, Animal Production Facilities, and so on.”

“ Almost every class we offer on campus could use the greenhouse for some purpose, even the Microeconomics class and the Business Management class,” Berger said.  “The vegetables and fish produced in the aquaponics system also could supply the Culinary program with fresh produce year-round."

Program Chair Claire Berger and Student Sara Clark accept
check from DuPont Pioneer on behalf of Ivy Tech Community College.