IDEA Teaching The Future of Growing Food With Leafy Green Machine
by Jolanie Martinez. CBS 4 News
August 14th 2019
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The Leafy Green Machine at IDEA Academy San Benito (Source: KGBT)<p>
With a new school year in full swing, IDEA Public Schools is working to educate students on how to eat healthy.
One of the ways is through their Leafy Green Machine at the San Benito campus, which is an old refrigerated shipping container that has been converted into a hydroponic farm for growing leafy greens and lettuces.
"It being only 300 sq. ft. yet it's able to produce annually,” said Jordan Roney, a farmer at IDEA Public Schools in San Benito. “The same amount of lettuce and greens that you could grow on two acres of land."
The hydroponic farm gives an inside look on the future of growing food at the intersection of agriculture, technology and conservation.
"All the water that is brought into the farm is used, nothing is wasted,” explained Roney.
The system also delivers nutrients directly to the plants’ roots and uses ten gallons of water a day, which is 90% less water than traditional methods.
IDEA is the only school district in Texas to have the Leafy Green Machine.
"It is also extremely productive meaning that all the seeds that we germinate in there are not exposed to a lot of the outside pressures of pest and pets that you see in traditional farming,” said Roney.
The hydroponic system is part of an after-school program.
"My favorite part of the class is putting my time and effort to help students eat very good,” said 8th Grader at IDEA, Michael Martinez.
"We are here with our friends to try to help people be healthier and do better, so they don't have problems,” said 8th Grader at IDEA, Faith Mantis.
All the items harvested from the Leafy Green Machine goes directly to the cafeteria and used in the salad bar or served in the lunch line.