Future Farmers of America students and staff at Northwest ISD's three comprehensive high schools will host their annual plant sales during the second weekend of April.

The sale provides an opportunity for students, parents and community members to support local education by purchasing affordable plants.

The details

According to a news release, all three high schools—Byron Nelson, Eaton and Northwest—will host their plant sales for three consecutive days:

• April 10, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• April 11, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• April 12, 8 a.m.-noon

The news release states all sales will be conducted in each school’s greenhouse. The addresses for each school is as follows:

• Byron Nelson High School, 2775 Bobcat Blvd., Trophy Club
• Eaton High School, 1350 Eagle Blvd., Haslet
• Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin

Each school's plant science program will benefit from the proceeds of the plant sale, which features a wide variety of plants, including mixed flowering and foliage hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, succulents and grasses. An updated list can be found here.

A closer look

The FFA program is part of NISD’s CTE program. Kelley Henderson, executive director for college and career readiness, said the district’s CTE program includes 23 programs of study, embedded internships and student enterprises. Enrollment growth in the CTE program has increased over 29% in the past three school years.

“We have now hit the point where 80% of secondary students are enrolled in a CTE course,” Broughton said.

These successes come amid budget constraints due to a lack of state funding, which has caused a projected $16 million budget shortfall for NISD for the 2025-26 school year.

During her mid-year report at the Northwest ISD board’s regular meeting March 10, Henderson said there is a growing need for advocates in the community to keep the program on track.

Board President Steve Sprowls also took the opportunity to request district families continue to advocate for the program.

“Please advocate," Sprowls said. "Don’t just assume someone else is going to do it, because [legislators in Austin] need to hear from us. We can’t [have these opportunities] without money.”

NISD will expand its career and technical education academies in the coming years. The district’s Construction Academy will open in August followed by the Transportation, Automation & Logistics Academy's opening in 2027.