With the addition of a hydroponic wall for growing fresh produce, Colorado State University Extension's Master Gardener program was able to donate about 77 pounds of food to the Broomfield FISH resource center in 2025. CSU Extension is described by the university's website as part of its engagement efforts that offer education and resources from the university to the broader community. As part of CSU Extension, the Master Gardener program connects community members with specially trained volunteers to provide expertise in all things gardening.
"We provide educational resources for gardeners about how to garden — from traditional garden questions to questions about their own hydroponic systems," said Lisa Overholser, the program coordinator for CSU Extension.
Overholser described hydroponic systems as a way to grow plants without soil, instead adding the nutrients to the system that the plants may need. Currently, the master gardeners maintain two hydroponic systems within Broomfield FISH: One setup grows plants in a tower, and the other is a harvest wall that was added to the space in November, Overholser said.
"When we harvest the food from the hydroponic systems, we donate it to FISH's food bank, which is a nice way to give back to the community," Overholser said. Broomfield Fellowship in Serving Humanity, or FISH, is a food pantry and resource center that provides food, emergency financial assistance and resource navigation support to Broomfield residents in need, according to its website.
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