In the Agriculture program at Urbana High School on any given day, you may see oddball and random projects and experiments, from hatching chicks, DNA extraction, antique tractor restorations to woodworking projects and making dog treats.
Recently students have been engaged in learning about plant production through a vertical hydroponic system. Last fall senior Ashlyn Dunn wrote a grant application through Farm Bureau to fund the system. Students set up the system, researched how it works and came up with a plan to grow lettuce for a salad bar for students and staff. All were amazed at how quickly the lettuce grew and continued to grow after being cut.
Overall, the project has been a huge success. Students of all backgrounds are gaining knowledge on plant production and tweaks to amp production. They are also sparking an interest in growing their own food at home now that they understand the principles and how rewarding it can be to enjoy the “fruits of your labor.”
