After the success of the Project GreenLight initiative, an interactive electricity awareness campaign, the STS department and the Office of Sustainability have partnered once again for a new, tech-driven, exciting sustainability project. With support from a generous Sustainability Fund grant, two Rise Garden indoor smart hydroponic gardens that can grow up to 36 plants at a time each have procured.
This co-curricular, living and learning opportunity provides students with a hands-on opportunity to learn how to grow their own food without the use of harmful chemicals, while also exploring the benefits of local food production. Participants will gain valuable insights into how small, sustainable changes such as reducing food transportation can help lower emissions and decrease their carbon footprint. Additionally, they will learn how minimizing fertilizer and pesticide use can help protect ecosystems and reduce water contamination.
The project trial began on October 11th with four STS student staff and four full-time employees. During the first planting session, participants selected 24 plants to start in six nursery containers. Since then, the group has met weekly to monitor the pH of the water, add necessary nutrients, and replenish the water tank.
In addition to the weekly meetups, participants are using the Rise Gardens app to track plant growth and stay on top of important tasks, such as transferring plants to the main garden, thinning overcrowded roots, and pruning to ensure healthy growth.
The group has already started harvesting some of the faster-growing plants such as lettuce. This project has proven to be a rewarding experience so far, and it continues to inspire sustainable practices among students on campus.
