BLHS Gets Growing with Hydroponics System
CONNORVILLE
Buckeye Local Jr./Sr. High School is taking the term “farm to table” to new heights by
establishing its own sustainable venture to supply freshly grown produce through its new hydroponics system.
The BLHS FFA and junior high building are housing three commercial-grade hydroponics towers that were
acquired in November with a $35,000 Grow Ohio Grant from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
The equipment was purchased from Fork Farms of Wisconsin and the goal is for students to grow herbs, fruits, and vegetables that will be used in the cafeteria, Luke Fabry’s culinary classes, and even sold for fundraisers.
Agriculture education teacher and FFA adviser Cameron Best worked with Superintendent Coy Sudvary, high
school Principal Luke Parsons, BLJHS Principal Andy Long, and VAZA Consulting representatives Dustin Pyles
and Marcy Raymond on the grant and said the Panther Produce: Growing Futures Hydroponics Lab project would serve as a catalyst for agricultural career awareness and food systems learning for grades 6-12. Three towers were purchased and students have been growing butterhead lettuce and basil, all of which were being provided to the school kitchen and Foods classes for use and consumption.
“There are 288 plant sites on each unit and it can grow 900 plants in about 25 days. They mature very quickly,”
Best said. One tower stands in the junior high wing but will be relocated to the lobby area for the public to view, a
second is located in Best’s classroom on the second floor of BLHS, and the third will be placed in junior high
science teacher Julianne Kuchan’s classroom.
Students harvested the produce prior to Christmas break and yielded about 144 heads of lettuce in the process.
Hydroponics uses a soilless method where seeds are planted in rockwool and placed into the system, then they use a25-gallon water reservoir and liquid nutrients to grow. The students are responsible for monitoring the water’s pH levels and maintaining the system while an artificial light operates on a timer to provide illumination for 18 hours per day. “They do regular pH tests and measure particles in the water,” Best added. “The students are fully responsible for the project.”He continued that one pupil’s FFA project is to monitor the system while all of the students check the systems for leaks, lighting issues, and plant progress. The grant also provided for a curriculum for the junior and senior high classes, professional development, and field trips.
In addition to the farm-to-table program, Best intends to utilize the school’s newly on-site greenhouse to grow
more vegetables, such as tomato plants and peppers, as well as Mother’s Day flowers for sale to benefit the FFA.
Work on the greenhouse was eyed by the end of the holiday break.