Locally Grown Flowers at the Challenge Center

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — Bay Produce, a greenhouse run by the Challenge Center in Superior, is trying something new this year: Flowers for Mother’s Day.

“We have hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of potted plants for your porch or hanging and, but I have a feeling they’re gonna go pretty fast” said Mark Kroll, Director of the Challenge Center.

These flowers are grown by clients at the challenge center.

They’ve been working hard in the greenhouse since February, growing them from seeds and seedlings, into these large baskets.

Starting Monday, they will be ready to take home!

“People can actually come to our greenhouse here and buy flowers direct from some of the folks that grew them. And we’re really excited about the opportunity. We’re excited about expanding the different services that we have, but also the folks that we serve. It’s something new” said Mark Kroll, “Here at the challenge Center, our main goal is to provide services to folks with disabilities, and one of the one of the main ways that we do that is through our prevocational program, and that’s what Bay produce is.”

The Prevocational programs help their clients build the skills to be successful in the workplace.

For many, it means moving into other employment opportunities or working with job coaches to further develop skills.

Money earned from selling the flowers and produce, goes back into these programs.

As for those tending the flowers, quite a few of them have been dedicated to growing produce there for well over a decade.

“I just love it over here, working here” said Vivian Willoughby, Bay Produce Employee.

“It’s fun being around, being with my friends, and getting things done” said Erin Smet, also a Bay Produce Employee.

The flowers will only be available as long as supplies last.

“I encourage people to come in early and then and get what they want,” said Mark Kroll.

Currently about 20% of the greenhouse space houses flowers.

Once they are gone, that space goes back to the tomatoes.

The Bay Produce Greenhouse is located behind the Mariner Business Center in Superior.

Starting Monday, May 5th, they will be open from 9am to 6pm weekdays, and 9am to 2 pm on weekends until they sell out.