Shaker Middle School kept their hands clean when they harvested 25 pounds of lettuce from a new hydroponic garden. Farm to School Facilitator, Amber Cost, planted the first batch of lettuce on January 21.
Hydroponic gardens are able to grow produce by using water-based nutrient solution over soil. Having one in the district gives students an opportunity to participate in the growing and harvesting process.
Although the first round was planted by adults in order to learn the process, the next round of planting is in the hands of the students. Students will be tasked with daily watering and observing until it's time to transfer the produce to the Fork Farm Hydroponic Garden. Cost said the second round of planting is right around the corner.
"At that point, students will help transplant and monitor the water, nutrients and pH a couple of times a week," Cost said. "Students will also help harvest when the time comes."
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