US (PA): Student Farm Club hosts hydroponic lettuce tasting event
On Thursday, February 2nd, six pounds of lettuce were harvested from the Student Farm’s hydroponics including green-leaf romaine, red-leaf romaine, and a green-leaf tango lettuce. The next morning after overnight storage in the vegetable cellar coolers, the lettuce was delivered on foot by Student Farm Club members to Redifer Dining Commons. Image: Penn State
Established in 2015, the Student Farm Club is housed within the Sustainable Food Systems Program at Penn State, which strives to increase local food access and food systems education. Throughout the year, club members participate in and lead projects relating to sustainable agriculture, youth education, food security and more.
In order to provide lettuce to Housing and Food Services during the winter months, the Student Farm Club has developed a hydroponics production system. Image: Penn State
In order to provide lettuce to HFS during the winter months, the Student Farm Club has developed a hydroponics production system. This greenhouse-based, soil-free system has been used to grow over 20 different kinds of lettuce, which are being served in Redifer Dining Commons throughout the spring 2017 semester. HFS serves produce grown on the Student Farm year-round in many on-campus dining halls and campus restaurants.
The Student Farm Club uses LED lights to grow lettuce in an indoor hydroponics system during the winter months. Image: Penn State
In addition to the tasting, club members will be on-hand at the event to share the nutritional benefits of eating leafy greens and advice for eating seasonally. More than 20 varieties of lettuce will be available for tasting including: Green Romaine, Green Tango, Red Romaine, Heritage Lettuce, Baby Spinach, Arugula and Green Batavia.
For more information:
Student Farm at Penn State
Carissa Heine
carissaheine@gmail.com
sites.psu.edu/studentfarm