SC State's BECT Education and Research Greenhouse opens fall semester with plant sales, workshops

Educational workshops, plant sales and volunteer opportunities planned for the fall semester.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. - The BECT Education and Research Greenhouse at South Carolina State University will open the fall semester with educational workshops, plant sales and volunteer opportunities for students and the community.

Operated by South Carolina State University's Institute of Business, Environment, Communications and Transportation (BECT Institute), the greenhouse supports research and education while providing hands-on learning opportunities in sustainable agriculture, greenhouse production, gardening and agribusiness.

The greenhouse is managed by Penelope Fennell, a December 2024 SC State agribusiness graduate, and is located between SC State's ROTC building and the old Police Station.

All educational workshops are open to the public.

Some hands-on workshops, such as an upcoming Paint-a-Pot session, may require a small materials fee for participants who want to take their completed projects home. Guests are welcome to attend the educational portion of these workshops without purchasing materials.

A pest management workshop is among several volunteer workshops planned for the fall semester. Drip irrigation and garden bed maintenance are among the other topics covered.

Participation in volunteer workshops provides volunteer service hours, making them an opportunity for students, organizations and community members seeking volunteer experience while also learning greenhouse and gardening skills.

Plant sales will be held at both the BECT Education and Research Greenhouse and the U.S. Metro 1 Flea Market in Columbia, providing additional opportunities to support greenhouse programming.

Activities this semester include:

• Paint-a-Pot workshop: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at the BECT Education and Research Greenhouse. Spots are limited. Email Fennell at [email protected] to register or for more information.
• Plant sales: 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, Aug. 18 and Aug. 25, at the BECT Education and Research Greenhouse. Email Fennell for more information.
• Pest management workshop: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, at the BECT Education and Research Greenhouse. Registration is required. Email Fennell to register.

To learn more about the greenhouse and its activities, contact Dr. Barbara Adams at [email protected] or Penelope Fennell at [email protected]. Learn more about the BECT Institute at scsu.edu/bect.