WATERTOWN, NY — Watertown High School has launched an agriculture program. As the recipients of a $10,000 educational grant, students will gain valuable experience in the field of aquaponics. They will also put food on local tables.
Sponsored by the Monsanto Fund’s America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Program, the grant provides curriculum and equipment for the development of an aquaponics system. Food grown in the high school’s system will then be distributed throughout the district and incorporated into cafeteria meals.
WHS Agriculture Teacher Melissa Fregoe-Cronk said the educational benefits of the program don’t stop at the high school. “The WHS Plant Science class will share three mini aquaponics units, or aquasprouts, with students in the elementary and intermediate schools. By guiding the younger grades through the maintenance of a system, both older and younger kids are being immersed in the study of agriculture.”
The $10,000 award will be presented to Ms. Fregoe-Cronk during this week’s WHS Homecoming Pep Rally. The event will take place on Friday, Sept. 21, at 1:15 p.m. in the Watertown High School gymnasium.
This project was made possible by local farmers and America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. The America’s Farmers campaign highlights the importance of modern US Agriculture through communications and community outreach programs that partner with farmers to impact rural America.
For more information regarding this program:
https://www.americasfarmers.com/news-media/
