USC Teaching Garden utilizes vertical aeroponics

With both the ongoing drought and loss of farmable land, the rapid depletion of natural resources is a relevant concern in today’s times. To fight these issues, USC Hospitality has taken action to assert its responsibility for the earth in developing the USC Teaching Garden, a self-sustaining garden to harvest a variety of vegetables, fruits, herbs and edible flowers for its dining venues. The garden’s farming techniques support USC Hospitality’s commitment to the environment and to the health of our dining guests by growing our own food locally without the use of any harmful chemicals.

With the support of LA Urban Farms, the USC Hospitality Group successfully opened the USC Teaching Garden in March 2016. LA Urban Farms (co-founded by USC alum, Wendy Coleman) is a full service urban produce grower utilizing Tower Garden aeroponic technology. This technology is approved by the US Green Building Council for LEED points on certified Green buildings.

USC is the first university in the nation to have a farming effort of this scale using vertical Tower Garden aeroponics technology. The seeds used in the garden are 100% organic and the plants are fed all natural water based ionic minerals and plant nutrients. The plastic is FDA food grade approved plastic & UV stabilized for outdoor protection. Leafy greens & herbs can be harvested in just 21 - 28 days. The towers sustain plant growth while using 90% less water and 90% less land than traditional gardens. The USC farm is growing 2,640 nutrient dense plants in just a 60’ x 20’ square foot space. In addition, USC culinarians are given access to the garden to grasp the significance of environmental impact we have on the earth in farming our own produce. Through the process, USC Chefs have strengthened the pride they have in serving guests using farm-to-table methods.

Source: USC Hospitality