Northeastern Junior College will hold its annual Collegiate Farm Bureau plant sale on Saturday, May 9, but with changes that maximize public safety due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
To conduct the sale, which will be held at the Northeastern campus greenhouse near Beede-Hamil Hall, the college is adhering to Level 2 COVID-19 pandemic “safer-at-home” best practice guidelines provided by the Northeast Colorado Health Department.
“This is an important fundraiser for the CFB each year, and one the community always looks forward to with the arrival of planting season,” said Northeastern soil and crop science instructor Andy Bartlett. “We felt we could safely conduct it under the current “safe-at-home” guidelines for retailers by accepting orders online and allowing purchasers to pick up plants on campus without violating social distancing rules.”
Bartlett said the following changes will be in place:
- Unlike previous years, customers will not be allowed to enter the campus greenhouse.
- Buyers will be asked to complete an online order form to purchase plants (once submitted, a confirmation of an order will be provided within 24 hours). With confirmation, buyers can pick up their orders at the campus greenhouse on Saturday, May 9 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Unlike previous sales, there are no set prices this year for any plant. The CFB is asking for donations, and a list of suggested donation amounts will be provided. Cash, personal checks and credit cards will be accepted.
- Northeastern Agriculture faculty and staff will be on hand to bring plants to buyer’s vehicles with no need for purchasers to get out of their car or truck.
Available plants include flower garden species (geraniums, begonias, pansies, petunias, impatiens and marigolds) along with vegetable plants (tomatoes and peppers).
For more information, visit the NJC Collegiate Farm Bureau plant sale page on Facebook.