With 180 lettuce plants per layer and each layer planted two weeks apart from each other, when the layer is harvested, it is given to the school lunch program. With the help of Union’s Food Service Director, Cara Glenn, the lettuce is distributed to all four buildings across the district for students to enjoy. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

LA PORTE CITY – Union Community Schools is thrilled to announce the expansion of our hydroponic plant production system, thanks to a generous grant from America’s Farmers Grow Communities, facilitated by the Bayer Fund on behalf of Al Shafbuch of Dysart. This exciting development allows Union’s agricultural education program to enhance its commitment to sustainable agriculture and environmental education.

The existing hydroponic system has been a valuable educational resource for students, providing hands-on learning opportunities about hydroponics, plant growth, and water conservation. Hydroponics is growing plants in a water-based nutrient solution, rather than typical soil. Fertilizer is added once every 45 days, in small increments, but students test the pH level weekly. Checking the pH ensures that ample nutrients are readily available to the plants. If pH levels are too high or low, students make adaptations to ensure the best possible growing conditions for the plants. The water and nutrients are continually recirculated throughout the system, thus allowing for minimal water usage and waste.

With help from the grant we just received, we have doubled the capacity of our system, allowing us to grow more fresh produce and engage even more students in this innovative and eco-friendly approach to agriculture. This year’s production focus has been solely on hydroponic lettuce, which has a quick growing cycle as it is ready to harvest, every 40 days.

In addition to equipping students with specialized skills and learning opportunities, the hydroponics system is also a valuable asset in the Union Community School District lunch program! All of the lettuce that is harvested from the hydroponics system is served through the school lunch program. Due to the number of students across the district and the quantity of lettuce needed for school lunch, we have been harvesting an entire layer of lettuce every three weeks to supply to the school lunch program. Each layer has 180 openings for plants to grow, yielding approximately 15 pounds of lettuce each harvest. We are proud to serve our students high-quality produce that is grown in the same building as it is consumed. Talk about eating local foods!

We want to give a very special thank you to Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities, on behalf of Tama County farmer, Al Schabuch. The purpose of the Grow Communities program is to partner with farmers to make a positive impact in farming communities across the country by supporting local nonprofit organizations. More than $63 million has been directed towards this organization across rural America since 2010.

The completed, two-layer HydroCycle 4” Pro Lettuce System in the back of the Agricultural Education Classroom. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

For more information about Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities visit https://www.americasfarmers.com/

Bailey B., Nathan M., and Mason H. help pick the lettuce in the Agricultural Education classroom before it is sent to the school kitchen to be washed and served to students! CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Owen H. works on planting lettuce in the grow-cubes. After approximately one week, with the seeds germinated, the cubes are placed into the system. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO