July 18, 2024
Members of The Rotary Club of Salisbury tonight learned about a unique agricultural program at the Parkside High School. 
Jerry Kelley, horticulturist and popular Parkside High School Career and Technology Education instructor for the A+ Garden Center, explained that what he teaches can be applied across many fields. With a wide range of experience that includes greenhouse work to turn-around specialist in the fashion industry, Jerry described their theme as “Growing Dreams” as he merges agriculture and education/ horticulture and business.
Both the A+ Garden Center and many of his individual students rank #1 in the country on so many levels that people come from out of state to see how they do it. Jerry is very proud of his students and their successes and he demonstrates that pride continuously. He integrates literacy into the program, gets students involved with the universities early, integrates the arts, adopts industry requirements, looks for sustainability in everything they do, and develops a business.
In addition to Mr. Kelley's presentation, club members received an update on the recently started annual club raffle that will provide the winner with $10,000. Ten dollar tickets are available from club members through the end of October. All proceeds will be used to support local community service, non-profit organizations.