Aquaponics for Hyperlocal Food

Commodities

• Vegetables: greens (lettuces), Basil

Practices

• Production Systems: hydroponics
• Sustainable Communities: analysis of personal/family life, local and regional food systems, sustainability measures, urban agriculture

Our plan is to use an aquaponics system to allow students to learn Math, Science, Biology, Chemistry and Technology in the hands-on learning environment of a real, working ecosystem right in their classroom. The class is project based, and many of the projects focus on being a producer instead of a consumer in some way. The aquaponics system sets students up to partner with our food service staff to provide hyperlocal, healthy food options and learn how sustainable agriculture can help mitigate food insecurity issues for urban populations.

1. Introduce students to the concept of Aquaponics through real life applications of technology, with daily hands on experience and data tracking.
2. Build academic and agricultural skills, and foster cross cultural community, through mentoring partnerships with farmers.
3. Work collaboratively with food service business partners/customers to provide a valued agricultural product, culminating with products grown in the system being served in school cafeteria. 
4. Present results to community members and student body through Nehemiah Hour Fair (5/25/22) and daily updates through KP Nehemiah Hour Instagram account