Students at John Adams Middle School have built two vertical garden towers.
A grant from Tower Garden to Healthy Harvest of North Iowa, Inc. helped buy two vertical aeroponic growing systems. The towers, delivered in early March, were assembled by students who also set the timers for the lights and pumps before starting seeds.
"The students are amazed at how fast things are growing," says Marie Morud, HHNI Farm to School Coordinator. "They are already planning a salsa party before the school year ends, using tomatoes and peppers they grew themselves. Seeing that excitement is exactly why farm to school education matters."
Three afternoons each week they mix mineral nutrients, test water pH, and transplant seedlings once they reach three inches in height. Classroom science lessons now include real‑time observation of crops such as lettuce, herbs, snap peas, tomatoes, peppers, catnip, nasturtium, and kale.
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