Eric Tanner Hydroponics

View the project report

Commodities

• Vegetables: greens (lettuces)

Practices

• Crop Production: greenhouses, nutrient management, water management
• Education and Training: demonstration, display, workshop, youth education
• Production Systems: hydroponics

This project will help me to show my students and our small agricultural community the value, efficiency, and sustainability of the practice of growing hydroponically. The students will build, grow, maintain, troubleshoot, market, and share their experiences with our agricultural community showing an alternative method to traditional agriculture. The students will learn the benefits to using a sustainable hydroponic method as a possible source to combat the food deserts that are prevalent in our area. The project will also include field trips to local commercial growers at the schools expense. 

1. Introduce students to the idea of sustainable agriculture through hands-on activities in our greenhouses by implementing a hydroponic leafy greens production program. Students will plan, build, grow, maintain, and market the crop. 
2. Take students on school funded field trips to local hydroponic commercial growers to learn their best demonstrated practices on how to implement sustainable practices in their businesses. This will also introduce them to the various agricultural career pathways in this industry.
3. Host open houses and give student-led tours of our facilities. This will include all local elementary schools, local food bank, and community leaders. This will show them what they may be able to do with some of the vacant buildings throughout the lower income areas around us that would also allow them to provide fresh produce where there are few sources available to those living in those areas.