Beaver Dam High School has a greenhouse that has fallen into disrepair and a group of students, alumni and parents are determined to do something about it.
Generating a Green Future is a fundraising effort being spearheaded by students Stacy Rauscher, Anna Boschert, Katie Dietz, alumnus Dana Schmidt and advisors Mary Vogl Rauscher and Mary Pat Boschert.

The goal is to raise $75,000 and turn it over to Beaver Dam School District for construction of a facility that will be much more than a greenhouse. The plan is to include creation of an environmental science classroom and greenhouse lab.

Vogl Rauscher said the group took matters into their own hands because they realize the district does not have the funds for capital improvements. And they think the facility will have a significant effect on the community because of the large portion of the local economy that depends on agriculture.
"If you live in this community, you will be impacted by this," Vogl Rauscher said.

Others in the community agree and as a result the effort is working with the Beaver Dam Agribusiness Association and has quickly generated interest in corporate sponsorship.

For Rauscher and Boschert, part of the motivation is to get more students involved in the FFA program at Beaver Dam High School. The two acknowledge that given the proposed timeline of fundraising into spring 2012, the effort will mostly benefit students who come after them at the school.
The group is holding its first fundraiser Friday with a brat fry at Ballweg Implement on North Spring Street.

They also are working on putting together a program that would allow the purchase of bricks and tiles with names, logos and symbols on them.
Those who want to learn more about how to donate to the program should contact Generating a Green Future, care of Mary Vogl Rauscher, 208 Starkweather St., or call 887-7951.