Greenhouse To Be Part of Curriculum at G-T/R-A
Graettinger-Terril Greenhouse
After years of attempts to secure funding, the Graettinger-School has built a new greenhouse at the Graettinger building. This facility consists of a fully-equipped 18’ x 36’ greenhouse and a aquaponics system. The greenhouse is climate-controlled and has concrete walkways and pad. The aquaponics system is a sustainable agriculture technology that combines fish culture with hydroponic plant cultivation. Water containing wastes from the fish is pumped up to plants which use these nutrients to grow. In doing so, they filter the water for return to the fish tank. We will be working closely with DNR personnel from the fish hatchery to help us set up and maintain our fish culture.
The goals of adding this facility are many. Obviously new agriculture and science classes will be added to our course offerings to utilize the facility, but other classes (English, social studies, etc.) will be encouraged to use the greenhouse as well. This will also be a nice addition to the summer garden project that has been part of elementary summer school for years. Produce grown in the greenhouse will be used by the FCS classes to prepare food dishes. Any extra produce will be supplied to the food pantry at Upper Des Moines. We also want to make the facility available during the evening for community groups to offer horticulture classes (such as Master Gardener courses).
The greenhouse is located just South of the Shop building and we welcome you to stop in for a visit!
