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Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) recently held a Greenhouse Ribbon Cutting to commemorate the opening of the NEO Greenhouse. Funds were raised at the record setting 2019 NEO Development Foundation Gala to help kick start the greenhouse. Since then, students and faculty have worked tirelessly to get the greenhouse ready, which was completed earlier this year. “The generous community donations at the 2019 NEO Foundation Gala initiated the marathon to completing the most loved greenhouse in the country,” said Dr. Mary Booth, NEO Agriculture Department Head. “The dedication and perseverance of Terry Jurgensmeyer and Alisen Anderson guided us through the complicated building process. I witnessed their un-wavered, servant hearts commit to the completion of the NEO greenhouse for the sake of our students. Thank you to Terry, Alisen, our generous donors, NEO administration, faculty, and staff, NEO Foundation board and all that gave time, talent, and money to turn a dream into a reality.”

With the implementation of the greenhouse, NEO Agriculture students will be exposed to opportunities which are historically only available at the comprehensive universities. Students will participate in labs, classes and projects at the greenhouse. With the recent addition of the Agronomy degree option, the greenhouse will help NEO to provide more plant and soil classes for students to participate in. NEO will also be able to partner in research efforts with universities like Oklahoma State. With the addition of the greenhouse, work study positions will be available for students and it will provide fundraising opportunities for clubs, teams and classes. The greenhouse will also increase community involvement and enhance strong, longstanding tradition of giving expertise instruction with teaching facilities and materials.

The opening of the greenhouse will also allow NEO to partner with OSU for additional grants similar to the recent grant NEO received, Paths to Provide. This program aims to support Native American high school students to earn an Associate’s Degree at NEO and continue on to OSU to complete dual Bachelor’s degrees in Entomology and Plant and Soil Sciences. “NEO Agriculture and Oklahoma Department of Agriculture have an aligned goal of getting students work force ready after they graduate with their Associate’s and/or Bachelor’s Degree,” said Alisen Anderson, NEO Agricultural Department Faculty. “This greenhouse will help make those goals a reality.” For more information please contact the NEO Agriculture Department at 918-540-6368.   Photo: Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur and NEO President Dr. Kyle Stafford cut the ribbon at the new NEO Greenhouse along with NEO Agriculture Department faculty, alumni, donors, state and local officials.