Project Overview
Information Products
Commodities
- Agronomic: radish (oilseed, daikon, forage)
- Fruits: citrus, melons
- Vegetables: beets, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, garlic, greens (leafy), greens (lettuces), leeks, okra, onions, peppers, radishes (culinary), sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips
- Miscellaneous: other
Practices
- Crop Production: crop rotation, food product quality/safety, greenhouses, no-till, nutrient cycling, water management
- Education and Training: mentoring, youth education
- Energy: energy conservation/efficiency, renewable energy, solar energy
- Farm Business Management: agritourism, business planning, community-supported agriculture, cooperatives, e-commerce, farm-to-institution, farmers' markets/farm stands, grant making, labor/employment, land access, market study, value added, whole farm planning
- Natural Resources/Environment: indicators, other
- Pest Management: mulching - vegetative, prevention, sanitation, weather monitoring
- Production Systems: aquaponics, hydroponics
- Soil Management: composting, soil analysis
- Sustainable Communities: community development, community services, employment opportunities, food access and security, food hubs, food loss and waste recovery/reduction, food sovereignty, leadership development, local and regional food systems, new business opportunities, partnerships, public participation, public policy, quality of life, social capital, social networks, social psychological indicators, sustainability measures, urban agriculture, urban/rural integration, values-based supply chains
Summary:
Summary:
This project implemented vertical aeroponic tower garden systems in community schools to increase student exposure to controlled-environment agriculture and improve understanding of food production systems.
Students participated in hands-on learning activities throughout two completed growing cycles, including planting, system monitoring, nutrient management, harvesting, and produce utilization. The project opens pathways to agricultural education by providing direct experience with water-efficient food production systems within classroom settings.
Project outcomes included increased student knowledge of sustainable agriculture, improved confidence in explaining food production processes, enhanced understanding of controlled-environment growing systems, and successful production of fresh produce in school-based environments.
The project also increased student exposure to agricultural career pathways and hands-on learning experiences that support workforce awareness in controlled-environment agriculture. Findings from the project were used to develop implementation resources and best practices to support the replication of aeroponic tower garden systems in other educational settings.
Project objectives:
Objective 1: Evaluate the Educational Impact of Vertical Aeroponic Systems on Student Knowledge of Sustainable Agriculture
Specific:
Changes in student understanding of controlled-environment agriculture, water-efficient growing methods, nutrient management, and food system pathways were evaluated through participation in hands-on tower garden activities conducted at participating schools.
Measurable:
Pre- and post-project surveys were administered to assess changes in agricultural literacy, system knowledge, and student confidence in explaining food production processes. Survey results demonstrated measurable increases in student knowledge, awareness, and confidence related to sustainable agriculture and controlled-environment growing systems.
Achievable:
Tower garden instruction was successfully integrated into classroom learning activities in collaboration with participating educators, allowing students to apply agricultural concepts through direct participation in planting, monitoring, maintenance, and harvesting activities.
Realistic:
Classroom teachers and the project's Technical Advisor supported agricultural instruction and system implementation, ensuring students received consistent, hands-on learning experiences throughout the project period.
Time-bound:
Knowledge growth was assessed following completion of the growing cycles through post-project surveys and classroom observations. Results demonstrated increased student understanding of sustainable agriculture, food production systems, and controlled-environment growing practices by the conclusion of the project.
Objective 2: Document Produce Output and Evaluate System Performance Within Participating Schools
Specific:
Plant survival rates, system functionality, and the volume of fresh produce grown were documented throughout implementation of tower garden systems at participating schools.
Measurable:
Harvest weight, plant health observations, irrigation performance, and nutrient management stability were tracked and recorded across two completed growing cycles. Data were collected through direct observation, system monitoring, harvest documentation, and educator feedback.
Achievable:
Participating educators and students maintained structured monitoring procedures, including routine pH checks, nutrient calibration, irrigation verification, and harvest tracking, with ongoing support from the Project Team.
Realistic:
System performance aligned with expected operational capacity, with each tower supporting up to 20 plants per cycle under proper management conditions. Variability observed during early implementation highlighted the importance of training, crop selection, and consistent system oversight. Corrective actions and follow-up training improved performance and strengthened long-term system sustainability.
Time-bound:
System performance and harvest output were documented throughout the project period and across two completed growing cycles. Data collection included harvest outcomes, plant health observations, nutrient management records, irrigation performance, and operational findings. Results from both growing cycles were used to evaluate system effectiveness and identify best practices for future implementation.
Objective 3: Develop a Replicable Implementation Framework for Integrating Aeroponic Tower Systems into Urban School Settings
Specific:
Lessons learned were documented throughout project implementation, and a structured set of best practices for installation, system monitoring, educator training, and classroom integration was developed based on operational observations and field experience.
Measurable:
Implementation materials, including installation procedures, monitoring protocols, training resources, classroom integration strategies, maintenance checklists, and best-practice recommendations, were developed and refined using project data and operational findings collected throughout the project period.
Achievable:
Project Roots collaborated with the Technical Advisor and participating educators to identify operational challenges, implement corrective actions, and document effective system management strategies that supported successful implementation and long-term sustainability.
Realistic:
The scalability of vertical aeroponic systems was demonstrated through phased implementation across participating schools, confirming that a structured and replicable model can be successfully applied in urban educational settings. Project outcomes provided practical guidance for future school-based implementations and educator-led programs.
Time-bound:
The implementation framework was developed, refined, and completed during the project period using findings from two completed growing cycles. Final educational materials, implementation resources, monitoring tools, and best-practice recommendations were compiled and made available to support future replication of aeroponic tower garden systems in school and community-based settings.
Educational Objectives
Objective 1: Increase Student Awareness and Understanding of Sustainable Agriculture and Vertical Growing Systems
Specific:
Student knowledge of water-efficient agriculture, plant growth cycles, controlled-environment growing systems, and local food production concepts was improved through participation in hands-on tower garden activities.
Measurable:
Pre- and post-assessments were used to document increases in knowledge accuracy and student confidence in understanding agricultural systems, sustainable growing practices, and food production processes.
Achievable:
Tower gardening lessons were successfully integrated into science, culinary, and related coursework at participating schools in collaboration with classroom educators.
Realistic:
Students engaged in hands-on learning experiences using aeroponic systems within the classroom environment, supporting practical understanding of plant growth, nutrient management, system monitoring, and food production.
Time-bound:
Measurable knowledge gains were demonstrated throughout the project period and documented through post-survey results, classroom observations, and student participation. Findings indicated increased understanding of sustainable agriculture, controlled-environment growing systems, and food production concepts by the conclusion of the project.
Objective 2: Provide Operational Training for Participating Educators and School Partners
Specific:
Participating teachers, school staff, and designated student leaders were trained on tower system setup, maintenance, monitoring procedures, nutrient management, pH calibration, irrigation settings, harvesting techniques, and general system troubleshooting.
Measurable:
Completion of installation guidance and ongoing support sessions was documented through workshop participation, follow-up training activities, system performance observations, and demonstrated improvements in tower management, plant health, and operational consistency.
Achievable:
Technical support was provided by Project Roots and the Technical Advisor throughout system installation and implementation, ensuring participants received hands-on instruction, troubleshooting assistance, and practical experience managing aeroponic growing systems.
Realistic:
Training was delivered in coordination with project activities, allowing educators and student leaders to immediately apply newly acquired skills through direct interaction with tower systems, routine monitoring tasks, and harvest activities.
Time-bound:
Initial training was completed during project implementation, with follow-up training and technical support provided throughout the growing cycles. By the conclusion of the project, participating educators and student leaders demonstrated increased confidence and competency in operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting aeroponic tower garden systems.
Objective 3: Share Project Findings with Broader Educational and Agricultural Audiences
Specific:
Project findings and lessons learned were shared through workshops, presentations, digital platforms, and educational resources, highlighting the implementation, challenges, successes, and outcomes of aeroponic tower garden systems in school settings.
Measurable:
Outreach activities included installation workshops, follow-up training sessions, newsletter features, social media content, educational materials, and the development of a mini-documentary documenting classroom implementation. These efforts supported dissemination of project outcomes and increased community awareness of sustainable agriculture and controlled-environment growing systems.
Achievable:
Existing community and agricultural networks were utilized to promote dissemination activities, including partnerships with educators, community stakeholders, schools, and agricultural organizations.
Realistic:
Engagement was achieved with educators, students, community members, and urban agriculture stakeholders through both in-person activities and digital outreach, extending the reach of the project beyond participating schools and increasing awareness of school-based food production systems.
Time-bound:
Dissemination activities were conducted throughout the project period and completed by the conclusion of the project. Project findings, educational materials, outreach content, and implementation lessons learned were shared through workshops, training sessions, digital media, newsletters, and community engagement activities, supporting broader awareness and future replication efforts.
Objective 4: Develop Educational Materials to Support Replication
Specific:
Educational materials were developed to support replication of aeroponic tower garden systems, including installation recommendations, lesson integration strategies, system maintenance protocols, monitoring procedures, and implementation best practices based on project findings.
Measurable:
Materials developed included curriculum handouts, implementation guides, monitoring checklists, maintenance resources, and best-practice documents. These materials were distributed through workshops, educator training sessions, direct outreach, classroom instruction, and digital dissemination efforts to support replication and long-term sustainability.
Achievable:
Project Roots collaborated with educators and the Technical Advisor to ensure materials were practical, accurate, and aligned with classroom needs, educator feedback, and real-world system operation.
Realistic:
Materials were shared through school networks, educator engagement activities, community outreach, and urban agriculture networks, supporting accessibility and replication across similar educational and community-based settings.
Time-bound:
Educational materials were developed, refined, and distributed during the project period. Final resources incorporated lessons learned from project implementation, system monitoring, educator training, and completed growing cycles. The resulting materials provide a practical framework for future adoption and replication of aeroponic tower garden systems in school-based learning environments.