Agricultural science has been around at Freedom High School since the 1950s; however, growing produce through hydroponics has grown in popularity over the last five years.
Hydroponics is the process of growing produce through a water-based system instead of in the soil. The produce is grown vertically instead of horizontally and uses a water basin that sends the water and nutrients right to the plant roots.
Sarah Heezen is an Agricultural Science Instructor at Freedom High School and also serves as the FFA Advisor. Heezen said that over her time at the school, students have grown a variety of produce, from cherry tomatoes, snap peas, green beans and peppers, but lettuce is the most popular since it is the easiest to grow.
Students will come by before and after school to work in the classroom, doing various tasks, including testing the pH of the water and packaging up the lettuce that Heezen says has become a hot commodity around the community.
Read more at We Are Green Bay