On October 22, the halls of Concord High School buzzed with excitement as students celebrated their very first Harvest Event, showcasing the fresh greens they’ve grown in their Flex Farms. This special occasion not only highlighted their hard work but also marked National Farm to School Month, bringing the essence of farming right into the school.
Concord High students have been using Flex Farms from Fork Farms as part of their science curriculum and are in their second year of growing fresh foods hydroponically. This program is the result of a partnership between the district’s Food Service Department, Alan Breneman, Food Service Director, and the high school to provide an interactive experience in hydroponics. Flex Farms are indoor mobile hydroponic farms that have allowed students to plant, maintain, and now, harvest an impressive array of fresh greens. On the recent harvest day, students proudly shared their bounty with classmates, serving up fresh Butterhead, Cherokee Summer Crisp, Green Star, and Coastal Romaine lettuces—paired with a delicious homemade dill ranch made from dill grown right in their Flex Farms.
Concord Community Schools have installed four Flex Farms — one in Concord Elementary School and three at Concord High School. High school students maintain the Flex Farms providing a new, innovative way to bring more fresh food to students and hands-on learning tools into classrooms. Students are involved in every aspect of the growing process from setup and monitoring water and PH levels to troubleshooting and collaborating as a team.
As the growing season winds down in Michigan, the students of Concord are just getting started. They are currently growing lettuce, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers in their Flex Farms and these fresh foods are served at lunch in the school’s cafeteria. With their Flex Farms, they can produce fresh foods year-round for their cafeteria and also use the growing systems for a variety of educational purposes.
This year, Concord High School introduced an exciting new course called Hydroponics, that aligns with state educational science standards. This class isn’t just about textbooks; students engage directly with Flex Farms, gaining firsthand experience in plant growth and sustainable agriculture. From fresh lettuce to tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, cilantro, and chives, students are taking the reins of their learning, transforming theory into practice.
The Flex Farm boasts the ability to produce 25 pounds of lettuce every 28 days, all within a compact space. This innovative approach not only provides fresh food but also serves as a powerful educational tool, integrating STEM, nutrition, agriculture, sustainability, and health into the curriculum. Research shows that when students are involved in the growing process, their willingness to try fresh fruits and vegetables increases significantly.
Concord High School’s Harvest Event was a great (and tasty) success, embodying the spirit of collaboration. As the Hydroponics class at Concord High School continues to thrive, we are incredibly proud of their commitment to sustainability and innovation. The students’ hard work not only benefits their classmates but also sets a strong example of how education can lead to meaningful change in the community. Here’s to many more successful harvests in the future!
For more color on Concord High School’s Hydroponics Class and the Flex Farm, watch this segment on WILX-TV!
To find out how a Flex Farm can be part of your school’s sciences classes and cafeteria line, please reach out to Fork Farms.
Photo credit to: Melanie Mikovits, Food Service Secretary Concord Schools
