The Jan. 28 Prescott School Board meeting began with some good news when Sarah Parkos and Cindy Femling of Afton Apple presented the district with a $15,000 donation. Food Service Manager Nicole Lenzner informed the board that Marshfield Clinic and Security Health Plan awarded PSD a $10,000 grant for the purchase of two flex farms, which will allow the district to grow hydroponic leafy greens all year long.
The district will be able to grow 25 pounds of fresh greens every four to six weeks with the Fork Farm Hydroponic Project, which uses 90% less water than traditional farming; the district will be able to grow lettuce, herbs or edible flowers.
"It's designed specifically for schools with built-in learning opportunities for students," Lenzner said. "It's going to show students where food comes from and that it's not just magically in the stores."
The project will allow the food service department to grow ¾ of the lettuce needed for the high school salad bar alone, which will help offset food costs, and herbs for culinary classes.
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