US (IL): Scales Mound FFA harvests first crops from hydroponic system
There are 80 lettuce plants producing leaves, with the capacity to expand to 180 plants. The weekly harvest provides enough lettuce for 20-25 salads in the school cafeteria. The lettuce is offered à la carte on the lunch salad bar.
The students have also started 10 hydroponic tomato plants. If the plants out-produce the needs of the cafeteria, the tomatoes will be offered for sale to the community.
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. Water is used as a carrier for the nutrients plants need, rather than collecting them from the soil. The hydroponic systems were purchased with funds received from the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Grant.
Source: www.journalstandard.com