In a partnership to address food insecurity and advance sustainable urban agriculture, Teens for Food Justice (TFFJ) and Green Mountain Energy (Sun Club) are introducing a brand new hydroponic farm at the Murry Bergtraum campus in Manhattan. This was made possible by a $148,000 sustainability grant from Sun Club and symbolises a ray of hope for food justice advocates and sustainability enthusiasts.
The TFFJ / Sun Club farm will be phased in over the next 18 months and is expected to produce 9,000 pounds of produce annually in a 1,500 square foot space adjacent to the campus dining hall. This produce will be served to the 1,400 students in the campus dining hall and distributed to food insecure community members through partnerships with local community organisations.
Katherine Soll, founder of TFFJ, said, ‘We are thrilled to announce the establishment of this hydroponic farm on the Murry Bergtraum campus and to continue our partnership with the Sun Club. This project embodies our mission and commitment.By educating and engaging students in urban agriculture, we can help them gain a deeper understanding of the food system and inspire positive change in their communities!The TFFJ farm at the Murry Bergtraum campusmarks an important milestone in our efforts to provide fresh, local produce and to replenish disadvantaged communities, while fostering a sense of environmental responsibility among students.It will serve as a vibrant educational platform,providing unique opportunities for students on campus to engage with sustainable agricultural practices, nutrition and food justice issues.’."
Sun Club's sustainability grant will support all equipment, supplies and environmental controls at the TFFJ farm. This is Sun Club's second grant to TFFJ...‘’
Mark Parsons, Managing Director of Sun Club, said, ‘Sun Club and TFFJ share a common vision of creating a more equitable and sustainable future, and this hydroponic farm at the Murry Bergtraum campus is proof of what can be achieved when organisations work together and tackle key issues such as food insecurity and climate change. We are thrilled to announce this innovative project and its potential to transform the lives of students and community members.’
Once fully constructed, the hydroponic farm will use advanced technology to cultivate a variety of fresh, student-grown produce, including leafy greens, herbs and other vegetables, while using 90 per cent less water than traditional soil-based agriculture and eliminating the need for harmful pesticides. This sustainable approach to agriculture fits perfectly with Sun Club's commitment to supporting environmental initiatives and is a great fit for urban environments like Manhattan.’
Urban Assembly Maker Academystudents have already participated in TFFJ's programming in Lab Room 439,and until the farm is built, they have used smaller hydroponic towers, homemade growing kits, and vine crop systems to grow food,as well as designing a ‘green wall’ to be placed outside the farm classroom.Overall, approximately 300 Urban Assembly Creative Academy students will be actively involved in STEM-focused programming on the farm, as well as TFFJ's after-school Food Justice Collective, which provides students with comprehensive nutrition and health education as well as food justice advocacy training to help them become empowered consumers and changemakers.
Amy Piller, Principal of Urban Assembly's Academy of Creativity, said,‘This TFFJ farm helps further our mission of preparing students to be problem solvers who can create positive change in a world where change is the only constant. This hands-on experience will not only enhance our students' understanding of sustainable agriculture, but will also teach them valuable skills needed for a more sustainable future while instilling in them a sense of responsibilityand preparedness for the ever-changing 21st century landscape.’
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