US (FL): High school students taught agriculture in hydroponic greenhouse
As 4Rivers grows, CEO John Rivers always has felt the responsibility to give back to the community.
But he’s never been involved in the world of agriculture — until now.
The program will teach students to test a variety of methods of growing vegetables and produce, including some hydroponics methods.
Ocoee High currently has an agriculture program, complete with a greenhouse, where students already grow produce. But the new program will allow them to use different growth methods, and students will be able to compare the different methods to see what works best, as well as do basic data-keeping and testing of nutrients. The new methods also will allow the plants to grow at greater quantities.
The program will teach students much about agriculture and the food they eat, but the benefits will extend far beyond that, said Mike Armbruster, senior and executive director of career and technical education to OCPS.
The skills students learn at the greenhouse will allow them to put some of those skills into practice at home. Using tools such as a Verti-Gro Tower, which takes little space, students can provide produce for their families.
Read more at Orange Observer