Joseph A. Taub Middle School will continue its partnership with Drop the Beet Farms to operate and expand its aquaponics program during the 2025-26 school year, following approval from the Paterson Board of Education.
The program, which combines aquaculture and hydroponics, provides students with hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education while addressing issues such as sustainability, agriculture, food systems, and health. According to district documents, the system currently yields about 300 heads of lettuce and 260 bunches of basil each month, along with cucumbers and tomatoes—totaling roughly 6,384 plants and 960 pounds of fresh produce annually.
For the new school year, Drop the Beet Farms will continue bi-monthly on-site maintenance, crop production planning, and emergency servicing, while also supporting classroom instruction and student-led sustainability initiatives. The program is designed to promote scientific literacy and provide inquiry-based learning aligned with state science standards.
The board approved a contract of up to $25,400 for the 2025-26 school year to maintain and support the lab. Earlier this year, Board members approved the initial installation of the aquaponics lab at a cost not to exceed $18,000.
Read more at TapInto Paterson
