A group of Lehighton Area High School students gathered to plant 24 semi-dwarf pear trees, marking a significant milestone for the school’s growing agricultural science program.

According to school officials, the pear trees, donated by local residents Josh and Amber Finsel, represent not just a hands-on learning opportunity, but the beginning of a larger effort to connect students with the region’s rich farming heritage.

“Over the summer, I was doing some thinking,” Jordan Cook, an agriculture and technology teacher at Lehighton, said. “I’m in a master’s program for horticulture, and I’m really into fruit trees. What better way to give the kids hands-on experience than through planting and caring for these trees?”

The initiative came together when Cook, along with several other teachers, began discussing ways to expand the school’s agricultural curriculum.

“We said, Hey, wouldn’t it be great to do something like this?” Cook said. “And then, through conversations with local farmers and community members, the Finsels stepped forward to support the project. Their donation is a fantastic way to launch this endeavor.”

With around 50 students enrolled in the school’s agriculture program, the tree-planting event is the first of many projects aimed at giving students real-world experience in agriculture.

“This is a great first step in growing the program,” Cook said. “The best way to learn is by doing. We want our students to own their learning, and we’re slightly limited because we don’t have a full-fledged farm, but this is a fantastic start.”

For the students, the experience has been eye-opening.

“It’s a really unique opportunity,” senior Kai Salles said. “I know a lot of other schools might not be able to do something like this,” Salles said. “We’re lucky to have people here who are so involved in nature and the natural sciences.”

Salles, who has an interest in foraging and mushroom cultivation, also shared his excitement about the innovative techniques being used in the project.

“One thing that stood out to me was that we’re using mycorrhizal fungi to enhance the nutrient uptake of the pear trees,” he said. “It’s kind of an advanced technique. I’ve done it at home, but I wasn’t expecting to do it here at school.”

Cook and his team have big plans for the agricultural science program. Beyond the pear trees, they are planning around 14 lab activities and field trips this school year.

“We’re aiming to give the students a comprehensive understanding of agriculture in our community,” Cook said. “The goal is to build soil health, provide hands-on experiences and foster relationships with local farmers.”

The pear trees, which are about 2 years old, will take some time before they bear fruit.

“It takes about three to five years to establish a pear tree and get fruit,” Cook said. “We may get fruit next spring or summer, but it’s not guaranteed.”

In the meantime, students will learn about tree care, including pruning, organic treatments and pest management.

“We’re trying to avoid pesticides as much as possible, and instead, we’ll be using neem oil and other natural methods to keep the trees healthy,” Cook said.

The students also planted daffodil bulbs around the base of each tree to help protect the roots from voles and other pests.

For Salles, the project offers a chance to leave a lasting legacy.

“In the future, I’d like to look back and say, ‘Yeah, I planted one of these trees,’” he said. “It’s something that future generations can come and see, and I think that’s pretty cool.”