At Millbrook High School, students start preparing for the fair early. As long-time competitors in the garden plot competition, it takes months of preparation and design work to be prepared for the fairs opening days.
According to Jennifer Broadwell, horticulture teacher, they typically start designing the plot over the summer. Students will propose a bunch of ideas and then as a team they’ll work to narrow down the list until they come up with the top three or four themes. Once the options have been decided, the students divide into groups and work together to create proposals. Eventually, they’ll decide on the best proposal and begin working.
Each year over a hundred kids are involved with the project, with around 50 horticulture students and 60 agricultural mechanics students all supporting the project in some way.
They do most of the prep work on the school’s campus in Raleigh, before finally beginning to move things over to the fairground in October. Much of this work is done after school, although sometimes the kids also get the chance to take a trip to the fairgrounds to work as well.
In 2021, the school won the garden competition with their Harry Potter themed display. The project was inspired by a group of students who were enthusiastic about the series and the students all came together to help bring the 15×15 plot to life. Over the years they’ve had plot inspired by other popular movies such as Insider Out and Barbie
Horticulture activities like this one can help bridge the gap for students who don’t know much about agriculture and agricultural education.
“The garden show at the State Fair for our program has been transformative in giving students that aren’t always the most interested in some of our other programs a way to take ownership and use their talents to really show off,” Broadwell said of the program. She’s incredibly proud of the hours of work and effort that her students put into the project and she’s eager to see the new and creative ideas they come up with in the future.
If seeing the work that these kids put in has inspired you, consider trying your hand in the competition. The garden show is open to all North Carolina residents and hosts 26 individuals or groups every year. Competitors can win in either the adult or school class. The plots are judged on their design, construction and materials, with the 1st place winner taking home $800.