Chastin Martel
For South Peace News
There is a new hydroponic farm for High Prairie School Division (HPSD) students!
The farm will allow students to grow food in all seasons and provide hands-on learning for HPSD students. The project is expected to place next school year (presumably September 2025) and the first harvest will be in October 2025.
Hydroponics is a method where food can be grown in water, instead of traditional soil.
The project was approved at a Dec. 17, 2024 HPSD board meeting and was presented to the board of trustees by Brennan McDonald, coordinator of planning and special projects. McDonald worked diligently to obtain funding.
“We are deeply grateful to the Buchanan Family Foundation for their incredible $315,000 donation, which has made this initiative possible,” says McDonald in an HPSD news release.
“Their generosity is not only investing in education and sustainability but also in the future well-being of our students and community,” he adds.
The hydroponic farm was made possible by a partnership with Growcer – a Canadian Agritech company that specializes in year-round farming. The hydroponic farm is being deployed at the Prairie River Junior High School in High Prairie and will ensure the community and students have access to a supply of fresh produce.
“In addition to gaining valuable knowledge about food security and agricultural technology, students will develop critical skills in teamwork, responsibility, and environmental stewardship,” the news release cites.
Students from PRJH, E.W Pratt High School, and Prairie View Outreach School will be in charge of maintaining the farm. Strawberries, peppers and lettuce are given examples of the produce that will be grown. Once they are planted, students will learn about water use, plant nutrition, and food production.
“Our goal is to supply fresh produce to local schools and, as the program develops, potentially expand to surrounding communities,” concludes the news release.