Shaker Middle School harvests first hydroponic garden crop
10
COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- Shaker Middle School kept their hands clean when they harvested 25 pounds of lettuce from a new hydroponic garden. Farm to School Facilitator, Amber Cost, planted the first batch of lettuce on January 21.
Hydroponic gardens are able to grow produce by using water-based nutrient solution over soil. Having one in the district gives students an opportunity to participate in the growing and harvesting process.
Although the first round was planted by adults in order to learn the process, the next round of planting is in the hands of the students. Students will be tasked with daily watering and observing until it's time to transfer the produce to the Fork Farm Hydroponic Garden. Cost said the second round of planting is right around the corner.
"At that point, students will help transplant and monitor the water, nutrients and pH a couple of times a week," Cost said. "Students will also help harvest when the time comes."
The idea of having a soilless garden came from Food Service Director Lisa Ostrowski and Assistant Food Service Director Alex Clements. Ostrowski and Clements came across the Fork Farm Hydroponic Garden at an annual conference and thought about the potential impacts one could have on school lunches.
“The students noticed the difference in the lettuce and told the cafeteria staff how delicious it was,” officials said. “This was just the best to hear.”
The next thing the school plans to plant is basil, as the garden will mostly grow salad greens and herbs. Come spring, the school will be kicking into high gear and expanding their options of what they can grow.
"We will be planting lots of different things such as: tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, kale, squash, beans, potatoes, corn and lots of herbs in our district gardens this spring, and our plans for what is grown includes incorporating them into the school menus whenever possible," Cost said.