Addressing food insecurity can start in the classroom
LA CROSSE, Wis. （WXOW）
‘Tools for Schools winner Lawrence wanted to bring the Hydroponic Farm to the cafeteria so students could get a closer look at the food they grow.
Mike Lawrence of Hamilton/SOTA Elementary School is this month's winner. He wanted to create a vertical ‘flex-farm’ to grow plants and vegetables such as lettuce, strawberries and herbs during the school year.
Lawrence says: ‘Due to pollution, our declining land use and water shortages, many people are using “hydroponic farms” to grow small crops like this at home or at school.’ . ’Longer shelf life, less water use, less land use, less transport and pollution."
Children will be able to experience fresh food grown using a vertical hydroponic system. Every four to six weeks, students will be able to see the final results of the system's work.
Now that the school's ‘hydroponic farm’ has been loaned out, Lawrence plans to purchase a new system at the end of the school year.
The children have been enjoying working on the ‘hydroponic farm’.
Lawrence said, ‘The students took over the project.’ . ’They like to see fresh plants growing. They like to hear the water. Love being in charge of checking nutrient values and pH levels and have taken that over from me and it has become a hobby job for the students!."
These would not be possible without reliable solutions from Board Store, River Bank, Ryan Schultz, and American Family Insurance Association.
Miles Wilkins of Board Store said.’It's amazing, exciting, practical information for kids and some very important things about how they will support themselves in the future!.".
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