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Agriculture
Page 8 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com

Eagle Ridge Pilots Hydroponic Garden System,

Connecting Students to the Food They Eat

Building agricultural literacy in students while providing fresh greens for meals

has never used a hydroponics system either, or vegetables next year but wants to ensure
but she was excited to use one because her that students have a voice in the planning.
mom has been interested in getting one for “Kids have really enjoyed the opportu-
their family. nity to be hands-on with all aspects of this
“I really enjoyed learning how to build garden – germination, planting, testing the
the hydroponics system and also soil, harvesting and, of course,
working with my friends and tasting the fruits of their
classmates to grow lettuce labor!” said Nicklin. “The
and basil,” said Heidi. “I hydroponics project has
think hydroponics is transformed our class-
a great alternative to room into a living
growing foods out- laboratory, where
doors.” hands-on experience
By the end of meets scientific
the school year, it’s inquiry. Students
expected that each have gained valuable
sixth-grade student skills such as team-
will participate in the work, problem-solving
growing process in some and critical thinking.
way, but all ERMS students This hands-on approach
will have had the opportunity has not only reinforced sci-
to observe the garden and taste the entific concepts but has ignited
food that is grown. students’ passion for learning.”
Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District and Nutrition Services Director Julie Kro- “The hydroponics garden system has At the middle school level, Pathways
191 nabetter. “We are excited to partner with the been a great addition to Eagle Ridge,” said learning is designed to foster exploration
Thanks to a collaboration between school and with sixth-grade science teacher ERMS Principal Dave Helke. “There are so and nurture creativity as students consider
District 191 Food and Nutrition Services Liza Nicklin, who has helped get the system many careers in the food industry, so we their future. We’re serious about building
and Eagle Ridge Middle School (ERMS) up and running. Food grown at ERMS may are fortunate to have this opportunity for inclusive spaces because it gives students
staff, students at the school have the excit- supplement or possibly replace some of our exploration. Not only have students been the best chance to continue healthy self-dis-
ing opportunity to harvest greens through current food purchases. If successful and excited to learn the science behind growing covery as they bridge into our high school
hydroponic technology. future school or community partners are their own food, but they have been eager to experience.
Hydroponics is the technique of identified, we hope to add more units.” eat what they’ve harvested!” Learn more about District 191 Path-
growing plants using a water-based nutri- Teacher Liza Nicklin says that, while ways at www.isd191.org/pathways.
ent solution rather than soil. Hydroponic Fueling Exploration Through there has been a steep learning curve to
systems are used mostly by small farmers, Hands-On Learning hydroponics, the plan this year is to perfect
hobbyists and commercial enterprises, but the growing process with students. Students
they are becoming increasingly popular The hydroponics lesson and curricu- and staff alike are already learning what’s www.isd191.org
among schools and nonprofits as a way to lum is currently a stand apart curriculum working and what’s not. Nicklin looks
grow their own food. each day during the students’ FLEX time, forward to growing new types of fruits and/
After determining a school with when they rotate through math and reading
ample kitchen space and identifying staff support and other learning opportunities.
to facilitate the growing process, One91 At every stage, from the initial set-up
Food and Nutrition Services Director Julie of the system to the first harvest, students
Kronabetter partnered with a hydroponics were involved in the growing process.
manufacturer to bring a vertical hydropon- While there were some students who had
ics system to ERMS. It’s the first school in a basic understanding of gardening, others
District 191 to install an indoor garden to had no experience at all.
harvest food for school meals and snacks. “I’ve planted vegetables in a garden
The indoor garden is also an impact- with the help of my grandmother, but I’ve
ful way for students to learn how to grow never used a system like this before,”
fresh food. Students learn about the science said Lillian Torres Garzon, sixth grader.
behind hydroponics, fostering a deeper I thought it was pretty cool to have this
understanding of STEM, agricultural tech- machine where we could plant vegetables
nologies and sustainability practices. Not indoors.
only does the garden empower students to “I really enjoyed watching the plants
grow their own leafy greens, herbs and veg- grow. Seeing that we actually made that
etables for their school, but it also provides happen was pretty exciting,” Lillian added.
a cost-effective way to produce fresh food Sixth-grader Heidi Guerrero Hernan-
on site for the school. dez has had a lot of experience gardening
“I’m thrilled to be a part of this project with her family members — growing a
and introducing students and staff to hydro- variety of fruits and vegetables such as
ponic gardening,” said District 191 Food cucumber, strawberries and squash. She