Vandals strike community greenhouse at Carson High

The community Greenhouse Project at Carson High School fell prey to vandals over the weekend, ending in the death of one plant.

Supervisor Karen Abowd, who spearheaded the project, said Monday that someone cut through the greenhouse's lock, turned off the circuit breaker and left the door open.

"I think it is a shame someone would think they would need to sabotage such a nice project," Abowd said.

The greenhouse opened three months ago, on Dec. 16, after three years of planning. It aims to serve student and community groups.

Special-needs students at Carson High School will grow flowers for the downtown baskets and to sell for fundraisers, and the high school instituted an agriculture class to support the greenhouse as well as forming a chapter of the student leadership organization Future Farmers of America.

Food harvested will be used in the school's culinary arts program and also will go to local food banks.

Abowd said they've been working with the sheriff's office to find out who committed the act, and they will review cameras at the school. She said they will also be putting in a security system for the greenhouse.

"Cameras are being installed as we speak," she said Monday.