Scotts Installs Hydroponic Systems in Schools Across the U.S.
February 21, 2020 
A new project aims to spark a passion for gardening and increase hands-on science experiences for students who otherwise might not have the opportunity. Photo by Brie Arthur
This past fall, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, Hawthorne Gardening Company, and National Farm to School Network launched a new pilot project designed to integrate indoor growing systems into underserved schools across the country. The project aims to spark a passion for gardening and increase hands-on science experiences for students who otherwise might not have the opportunity.
The pilot project will expand STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) gardening opportunities at 15 schools in California, New York City, and Washington, DC. Each school will receive hydroponic growing systems from Hawthorne Gardening Company, one-on-one support and technical assistance from garden experts, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
To help failure-proof the project and make it easier for teachers to incorporate into the classroom, ScottsMiracle-Gro, Hawthorne, and the National Farm to School Network developed a one-of-its-kind hydroponic curriculum aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. The hydroponic systems and curriculum will be implemented in schools during the 2019-2020 school year.
“Every school should have the opportunity to experience the benefits of hydroponic gardening,” says Chris Hagedorn, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Hawthorne Gardening Company. “Hydroponics enables students to have hands-on learning opportunities within arms’ reach inside of their classroom. We want more students to have access to this incredible and fascinating way to grow.”
“Hydroponic gardens offer an exciting and innovative way for more schools to make gardening opportunities available to their students,” said Lacy Stephens, Program Manager with the National Farm to School Network. “Hydroponics allow students to grow fresh produce year-round, can be set up directly in the classroom, and can be made accessible to students of all abilities. We’re excited to see these growing systems and the accompanying curriculum in action this school year, and we look forward to sharing the schools’ successes and impacts for the wider farm-to-school community to learn from.”
This pilot project is part of ScottsMiracle-Gro’s larger Gro More Good initiative, which aims to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens and greenspaces to 10 million children over the next five years.
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