Hydroponic Garden Press Release
Since November, students in grades three through five have been delighted to share a
hydroponic growing system. Funds from a Maine Agriculture in the Classroom grant purchased
the hydroponic growing system. Over the last four months, they have experienced the joys and
challenges of starting seeds. Students in Mrs. Hallowell’s class used mountain mint leaves to
practice collecting data and measuring to the nearest quarter inch. Recently, Miss Gove’s
third-grade class harvested the mountain mint and prepared it to be dehydrated and stored until
enough mint was ready for all the students to enjoy a cup of mint tea.
A hall meeting was called so all the third through fifth-grade students could sample the romaine
lettuces that have been flourishing under the students’ watchful eye. As spring approaches, the
students will select seeds to start in the hydroponic growing system and then plant in the
gardens outside. Wiscasset Elementary School students are grateful for the Maine Agriculture in
the Classroom grant and they look forward to learning more about growing from seed in the
months to come.
Photo credit: Becky Hallowell
