The idea for an aquaponics system in a high school
started with an important local partnership.
Agriculture teacher Jeff Neuser knows that history.
- So, the aquaponics system
that we have here at West De Pere was created,
through a partnership, by The Farmory.
So, The Farmory is a local organization
that wanted to do a movement for
to help answer the global food crisis.
- Claire Thompson of The Farmory explains more.
- A big component of our program is education.
We work with youth groups.
We work with school districts,
high school and elementary school districts,
university and technical colleges,
to try and expand STEM
and agricultural education
opportunities to those youth.
As well, we provide job training and education opportunities
to adults
through internships, apprenticeships,
and volunteer opportunities.
We started with the kernel of an idea.
The concept is downstairs in our first pilot test system.
We have a second system at West De Pere High School,
which we refined our ideas and our materials and our processes.
And now we're planning a buildout of this facility,
which is a 20,000-square foot former armory building.
- Much like The Farmory,
the aquaponics program at West De Pere High School
continues to grow.
- So the future is awesome
because this system is brand new.
It is fairly new to the industry
and we are working out kinks with it.
The whole industry is trying to figure out ways
to better the involvement of it.
So, we have done everything
from growing the different types of microgreens
to using it in our culinary program
to one day, hopefully, be able to produce enough
to use in our lunch program.
And one day, maybe even be able to create enough
that we could sell and create a local market.
[snazzy music]
- Teachers aren't the only ones excited about opportunities
this food system offers.
- So, what do you do?
What is your role within the system?
- We trim down the microgreens when they get tall enough.
We keep them stocked for
the nutrients from the fish waste
within the system.
- So, I heard that The Farmory was coming in
and they offered to bring it to our school
and I thought it was a really good idea
and interested me. - Nice!
Well, how does your school plan to use the microgreens
that are grown?
- Currently, we use some of the microgreens
in our culinary arts classes.
And then, soon we want to get to the point
where we can use some of the microgreens and the fish
in our lunch program at school.
- Wow, so providing some tasty treats to students.
- Right.
- Tasty treats that might spark
a lifetime connection to food.
And what are your next steps, your plans once you graduate?
- I plan to go to Platteville as of now for Ag Education
so, to be an agriculture teacher.
- So, coming full circle. - Right.