Our Agricultural Education department received another grant from the Statewide Health Improvement Program for $12,739. Read more details below!
Cleveland Public School Receives Grant for Hydroponic and Aeroponic Systems. Cleveland High School is looking to further develop its agriculture education by improving its horticulture program.
Last summer, the school received funding for the construction of a greenhouse and now they will be installing hydroponic and aeroponic systems. The school believes that hydroponic and aeroponic systems will help develop their farm-to-school program, in which students are involved in the process from seed to sprout to consuming. These new systems will allow students to produce greens for school lunches. By allowing students to take an active part in growing food, they will develop a greater connection to the food.
Thanks to a grant provided by the Brown, Nicollet, Le Sueur, and Waseca Counties Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (BNLW SHIP), hydroponic and aeroponic systems will be installed, allowing for greens to be grown year-round. Following the initial investment, the agriculture education plans to sustain through various fundraising events such as plant sales and food product sales. The money raised through these events will be put towards seeds, nutrients, and other necessary materials for the following school year. “The scope of this project not only heightens student awareness about where their food comes from, but also gives them hands-on opportunities to produce the food being consumed by themselves and their peers,” explained Kelly Susa, Agriculture Education Teacher at Cleveland High School.
The hydroponic and aeroponic systems are expected to be installed during the summer, and they will be ready for usage by the start of next school year. This project aligns with BNLW SHIP’s mission to improve access to healthy foods.
For more information about partnering with BNLW SHIP, contact Leah Mahoney at (507) 934-7221 or visit https://www.health.state.mn.us/ship