Snead State Community College has gained a sunny new addition: a newly built greenhouse.

It features a fully automated irrigation system as well as a heating and cooling system. Atlas Greenhouse, a Georgia based company specializing in educational greenhouses and ADA compliance, built the structure.

The greenhouse comes thanks to a grant from Alabama’s Mountains, Rivers & Valleys Resource Conservation & Development Council, a volunteer council focusing on projects that promote sustainability and well-being of their communities. Snead also received funding from the Marshall County Legislation Delegation and the Snead State Foundation for a combined total donated for the greenhouse of $30,000.

Snead State Biology and Horticulture Instructor Dr. Tom Warren spearheaded the project. He sees this as an ever-evolving teaching tool on sustainability for college students.

“This has truly been a community effort,” said Warren. “The students, administration, faculty, staff, and local government representatives have supported this vision. Because the local community has bought in to this project, the level of education we are able to provide has grown exponentially.”

Warren said the student body has bought in 100-percent. “None of this would be possible without outstanding students willing to assist in getting this project off the ground.”

Recently, the students developed a landscaping design concept, gathered all the measurements on the greenhouse site, hand sketched a design to scale, and installed the plants. Now that the greenhouse is up and operational, their focus will turn to growing crops inside of the facility.

The greenhouse is located behind the Snead State softball field, at 748 N King Street in Boaz.

The public open house event to unveil the greenhouse is Thursday, Oct. 10, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. It will include opening remarks from key dignitaries, tours of the greenhouse, and a reception.