Students, community members benefit from hydroponic garden

Last year, Loyal Elementary was selected to receive a hydroponic garden. The school received the garden from the Eat Right Be Fit Coalition in partnership with Aspirus Stanley Hospital and Marshfield Medical Center-Neillsville.

The garden has been an amazing experience for the fourth-grade students. The class just completed its second lettuce harvest. With the first harvest, every student in 4K through fifth grade got to try some lettuce. The cafeteria also served the lettuce for lunch. With the second harvest, students packaged the lettuce and gave it to people for a freewill offering. The fourth graders will pick a charity to donate the money to at the end of the school year.

As part of the agreement, the school is expected to complete a quarterly survey regarding hydroponic garden use. This quarter, it was for the students to complete. Check out some of their answers: Do you think that you like fruits

and vegetables more because of the hydroponic unit in your classroom?

Yes. I have always really liked veggies and fruits. Having a garden in the school just makes me want to eat more.

Do you think hydroponic gardening is a good way to grow vegetables?

Yes, because it grows faster and more efficiently.

How do you think the hydroponic garden helps our environment or community?

We can give away what we are growing. People can have more room to play and do other things.

It creates more vegetables to be available during the winter.

Do you think the hydroponic garden has made it easier for you to try new vegetables?

Yes, because it is fun to grow.

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