Virginia Western Launches Hydroponic Lettuce Program in Roanoke High Schools to Enhance Ag-Tech Workforce Skills

Several educational institutions are integrating hydroponic lettuce projects into their curricula to combine agriculture, technology, and sustainability while inspiring students toward careers in these fields. Virginia Western Community College developed a five-week hydroponics project for local high schools, where students grow Buttercrunch lettuce using a hydroponic tower with sensors that collect data, helping students learn hands-on skills in agriculture and technology and promoting data literacy. Similarly, Hickory Grove fourth graders planted, cared for, and harvested butter lettuce hydroponically, which was then served in school lunches, highlighting sustainable farming and connecting students to real-world science and agriculture. William Peace University launched Peace Produce, a hydroponic farm operated partly to provide meaningful employment to individuals with special needs, supplying fresh lettuce grown on campus to its dining hall and emphasizing community, education, and sustainability. These programs collectively showcase innovative ways to teach students about controlled environmental agriculture while fostering community engagement and sustainable food production.