Many may have noticed a new addition to the school’s cafeteria over the recent weeks: three white towers with leafy greens growing out of them.
The new hydroponics towers located in the cafeteria are teaching students how to provide for themselves and grow their own food in a way that’s benefiting the school. Amanda Jones’ work skills class has been taking charge of planting and continually taking care of these plants.
“This is a student project,” said Jones. “There are students that you probably know that are working on this that you probably don’t see that are adding water, planting, harvesting, checking the PH levels, that are putting work into this.”
The towers have lettuce and multiple herbs such as cilantro, dill, sage and oregano. These herbs are what is mostly used in lunches and if there’s a way to sustain the towers outdoors, tomatoes, peppers and strawberries will be added to the towers in the future.
“I went to the cooks and asked them what they used regularly and ordered those,” said Jones. “We are collecting it and the cooks are taking and adding it to the food so the students are eating it.”
The towers aren’t ordinary planters. The plants of choice are put directly into the openings of the towers and water constantly runs through the roots. Not only does this mean an easier watering schedule but it also helps the plants grow efficiently. The students are also managing the PH level of the water to keep it safe for consumption and to assist in growing speed.
“It grows better if it’s within the safer PH level,” said Jones. “I’m not positive if we’ve ever gotten it right but, we are trying. Things are growing. The lettuce is growing really well.”
Jones and her classes ask that all students are respectful to this new addition to the school. They are usually working in the cafeteria during seventh period lunch and much of the feedback has been great while they are working.
“So far, all of the kids have been very, very respectful,” said Jones. “It would be cool if they (students) would come talk to my kids if they saw us working on it.”
