Projects & Accomplishments

New Boiler 2025

In June, the Friends of the Greenhouse received a grant from the CarlilianFoundation in the amount of $25,000 for capital improvement projects at the Sustainable Living Center. 

Funds from this grant were used to replace the current oil boiler system for heating the water in the table coils in Greenhouse 1. This system was over 40 years old and had been in constant need of repair. Over the winter, it was brought to our attention that parts to repair the boiler were becoming increasingly difficult to find. 

We focused our attention on exploring a new system that would be more efficient and reliable for heating the coils used for heating the bottom of the seedling trays. The germination rate increases drastically with bottom heating compared to forced-air heating systems. Plants prefer warm roots. We researched several companies and went with Mohawk Heating Co. Inc. They removed the existing boiler and installed a new wallhung high efficiency propane water boiler. This system will be much more efficient and cleaner. CCESC staff are looking forward to a much better growing season this winter with this new system. 

Produce Wash and Prep Station 2024

In 2024, the Friends of the Greenhouse completed the construction of a Vegetable Wash and Prep Station at the Sustainable Living Center. The new Wash and Prep Station is a free-standing structure, 12’ x 24’ with a cement slab floor and metal roof offering protection from inclement weather. Within the structure, commercial stainless steel sinks and prep tables have been installed with running water and drainage.

Funding for this project came from two sources: Janet Chen, President of the Friends of the Greenhouse, was one of 10 individuals honored at the Schenectady Foundation’s 60th Anniversary Celebration for her dedication and commitment to the environment and sustainability. Janet selected the Friends of the Greenhouse as the recipient of the $10,000 award. In addition, a $10,000 Legislative Initiative from Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara was used to purchase the stainless steel commercial sinks, prep tables, faucets, etc. to equip the Wash and Prep Station.

According to Hassleer Jacinto-Witcher, CCESC Horticulture Educator for Roots and Wisdom: ”This new wash station will help promote Good Agricultural Practices and educate our youth and volunteers in a much more efficient and safer environment for processing and cleaning over 10,000 pounds of produce harvested throughout the season.”

Children’s Learning Garden, 2024
For the past few years there has been a growing interest in improving the learning opportunities for children at the Sustainable Living Center in Central Park. After the Master Plan was redrawn, CCE staff, Friends of the Greenhouse, and members of the community have completed Phases 1 and 2 of the Master Plan.

Native trees were planted in October of 2024, contributed by National Grid in conjunction with Schenectady Soil and Water Conservation District; planted species include Elm, Birch, Amelanchier and Witch Hazel. The Pollinator Pathway is designed to provide critical habitat for birds, pollinators, butterflies and other beneficial insects, provide a therapeutic space for children and their families, and develop environmental stewardship by teaching children about the needs and contributions of pollinators to our crops and gardens. Plants in the pollinator garden bloom throughout the season, from early spring to late fall, providing nectar for pollinators, shelter, and places to lay their eggs.
The following spring pollinator houses and chalk boards were added along the fence, along with a “puddling area” (a shallow area with a bottom layer of sand or small stones where pollinators sip mineralized water.

CCE, SC will again offer the popular ‘Little Diggers’ program in Spring of 2026 in this new area for preschoolers (age 3-5). For more information on this program visit the Cornell Cooperative Extension Schenectady County website.

Funding for our garden projects was provided by generous grants from the William Gundry Broughton Foundation, and The Carlillian Foundation. Working with The Friends of the Greenhouse, Inc., to accomplish our goals in the Children’s Learning Garden were the following partners:

CCE, Schenectady County
City of Schenectady
Mary Moore Wallinger, LAndArt Studios
Master Gardeners of Schenectady County
National Grid
Schenectady Water and Soil Conservation District
Union College student volunteers

Click here to view the Children’s Garden Master Plan.

Children’s Garden Enhancements, 2022
We are excited to showcase recent enhancements to the Children’s Learning Garden. Grant funding from the William Gundry Broughton Charitable Private Foundation has allowed us to install fencing around the new Children’s Learning Garden space and to add a Gazebo for classes, meetings and a place to relax in the heat of the day. Friend’s of the Greenhouses would like to thank the city for their assistance with the site preparation for the Gazebo.

Water filtration system, 2023
To address the water quality at the SLC, FOGH recently had an Aquasential Iron-OX5 Water Filter Unit installed both in the Classroom and Brickhouse to help reduce the high iron concentration in the tap water at the SLC. A UV filter system was added as an additional level of protection against potential pathogens, viruses or bacteria in the water in the classroom.

Composting H/A Toilet, 2022
We were concerned that there was no handicapped accessible toilet facility available at the Sustainable Living Center (SLC). We explored renovating the existing toilet in the Classroom but found the cost to be prohibitive. While exploring alternatives we realized a Clivus Multrum composting toilet would fit in nicely with the overall theme of the SLC. It would significantly reduce water use and allow for the recycling of waste materials without the need for transport of waste for disposal. The fan and lighting is powered by a solar system, making this a truly eco-friendly addition to the SLC campus. Many thanks to the City of Schenectady for providing the manpower and materials, and to Active Solar Development for volunteering to install the solar panels.

Storage shed, 2021
FOGH initiated a series of strategic planning sessions to help develop a master plan to address the needs of the SLC. One of the major components of the plan was the need for a new permanent storage building that would replace the existing smaller metal structures that were insufficient in size, access and lighting. The new building would allow for the storage of equipment, tools, supplies and materials in a single location that would be safe, secure, accessible, properly lit and ventilated. Funding for this project was made possible by a $50,000 State and Municipal (SAM) grant, a Carlilian Foundation award of $12,500 and FOGH fundraising activities. The new storage building constructed by Morton Building Inc. was completed in 2021. A special thanks to the City for their assistance with the removal of the metal structures and all the electrical work i.e. control panel, lighting, outlets, etc.

Master Gardener On-Site Office Upgrades, 2019

Brickhouse Renovation Project, 2019

Native Garden, September 2017

Fence Project, September 2017
The removal of the badly damaged fencing and the installation of 630 feet of new 6 foot chain link fencing along the two backsides of the Sustainable Living Center and Central Park Greenhouses have been completed. This long awaited project coordinated by the Friends of the Greenhouse will greatly improve the safety and security of the facility. Funding for this project was made possible through a grant from The Carlilian Foundation. We also appreciate the assistance from the City of Schenectady for the removal of trees and debris along the fenced area. The trenched area dug by the City will soon be lined with weed paper and filled with stone to reduce weed growth along the new fencing.

Greenhouse Repairs, Spring 2017
Spring of 2017 saw the completion of the installation of 5 new vent motors and the weather guard sensor system in the greenhouses. This project has greatly improved the air flow circulation and response to weather conditions in the 3 greenhouses. This spring the Master Gardeners, the Roots and Wisdom program and Cornell Cooperative Extension Schenectady County were able to utilize all 3 greenhouses to full capacity for each of their educational programs and activities.

A special thanks to the following businesses and individuals who made this project possible: Berkshire Bank Foundation, CCESC Master Gardeners, Stewart’s Shops, Rotary Club of Schenectady, Price Chopper Golub Foundation and Nancy Nicholas and Ralph Blackwood.

Education Building Improvements, November 2016
Several parishioners including Father Jerry from the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville participating in the First Annual Immaculate Conception Service Day helped us paint the classroom. The fresh coat of paint really brightened and improved the overall appearance this room which is used on a regular basis by Cornell Cooperative Extension Schenectady County for many of their educational programs, activities and meetings.

This spring funding from a prior Wright Family Foundation grant was used to replace and install new doors and windows and repair damaged subflooring in the classroom. We are extremely grateful to Harbrook Fine Windows, Doors &Hardware for their generous donation of a Marvin Integrity Two Wide Double Hung Window Unit. This project has greatly improved the lighting and air flow in the classroom. New flooring will be installed later this fall.

Union College’s Annual Community Experience Pre-Orientation, September 2016
In September 2016, 20 incoming first year students and 4 student leaders assisted the Friends of the Greenhouse with a number of projects which included the painting of the picnic tables and the classroom porch deck, and major clean up and organization of the Master Gardeners/Roots and Wisdom Potting Shed.

Replacing Greenhouse Glass, June 2015
Working in partnership with the City of Schenectady, FOGH was able to coordinate the replacement of over 30 glass panels in the greenhouses that were missing, cracked or broken and help with heating costs.

This has allowed Cornell Cooperative Extension, Schenectady County (CCE, SC) to utilize the greenhouses for growing plants and vegetables used in the Master Gardeners educational programs and the Roots and Wisdom’s Harvest Share Program.