The Caribou Ag Department applied for Project Canopy Grant to purchase $1,000 worth of trees for use at Caribou High. This fall over 50 students in the agriculture department, under the supervision of Tom Hale Caribou Tech Center Ag Instructor and Horticulture Instructor Ron Bouchard, planted those trees on campus.
With advice from Randy Martin of the King’s Gardener in Presque Isle, trees were chosen that will provide long-term benefits to the school and the community. One tree of note was the slippery elm which was recommended to replace the American elm which in the past had spread its majestic canopy throughout Aroostook County. Slippery elm was selected because it is resistant to the Dutch Elm Disease which practically wiped out the American elm.
Horticulture students at Caribou Tech Center learn all aspects of tree planting, pruning, and care. In addition they learn about sports turf care and maintenance, landscape design, and career opportunities in the horticulture industry.
Students in the Agriculture Department classes are members of the FFA, the student organization for agriculture education. They join with over half a million other members nationwide to learn about premier leadership, personal growth and career success.
