Page 4 - TTWISummer2026

Agriculture
Page 4 Electronic Edition: www .teachingtodaywi .com

Sunset Ridge Elementary School and Middleton High School Partner

to Keep the Greenhouse Going Over the Summer

with littler kids,” Schwab said. “We talked
through what we needed, what was possible,
and set the students loose on creating some-
thing that worked for their class project in high
school.”
High school students are programming
computers to sense moisture levels and run a
watering system. They’re putting the finishing
touches on the moisture-sensor system and set
up a temporary timer to help with watering in
the interim.
Planting, weeding, watering, and harvest-
ing will be handled this summer by a team of
Sunset Ridge staff, students and family volun-
teers.
“We are hoping it is a gathering spot for
families in the summer for some wholesome
device-free community time,” Schwab said.
Teachers incorporated the greenhouse into
their curriculum throughout the school year.
Carrie Brooker, Public Relations Specialist “We examined the water cycle with third
Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District grade classes, and second graders grew and
Sunset Ridge Elementary School and Mid- measured beans and sunflowers connected to responsive to the needs of others,” Schwab said, vesting, planting, and bringing home items,”
dleton High School are teaming up to take care understanding bar graphs in math and life cycles noting connections to the mindsets and founda- Schwab said.
of Sunset Ridge’s greenhouse this summer. in science,” Schwab said. “Fourth graders tions of a Cardinal’s Journey. The project has grown throughout the
It’s the school’s first full year of maintain- planted a ‘legacy garden’ in which we hope Schwab emphasized that the greenhouse school year, and the water-management part-
ing the greenhouse — an effort led by Library to grow tomatoes, chili peppers, and garlic for has been a community project with support nership with Middleton High School students is
Media Specialist Mr. Ren Schwab and a team salsa and sambal oelek, an Indonesian salsa of from the District; Sunset Ridge staff, students, another step in the greenhouse’s evolution.
of Sunset Ridge teachers, students and parent sorts.” and families; the school’s PTA; and the larger “It’s been pretty fun to be a small part of
volunteers. This summer, they’ll get additional He said the greenhouse has helped stu- community. this endeavor, and we hope it continues to grow
support from Mr. Ben Shrago and his science dents understand how food is grown and what “Some community members donated and change!” Schwab said.
class at Middleton High School to automate the healthy food can taste like. seeds and starter plants; the PTA donated funds
greenhouse’s watering system. “It has also helped them learn how to work for soil and soil conditioners, lights, and heating
“We loved the idea of bigger kids working with a community to make democratic deci- mats; and staff and students have been har- www.mcpasd.k12.wi.us
sions that are fair, community-oriented, and

Clark Street Community School Students Help Fight Food Insecurity

Continued from Page 1
through a grant from the MCPASD Edu- farmers and future leaders who can act on nutritious fruits and vegetables they desire,” about supporting a vision of a nourished
cation Foundation, operating hydroponic various causes that mean the most in their said Matt Lechmaier, Partnerships Manager Dane County where everyone has equitable
grow towers, starting seeds under grow communities.” for MAFPG. and abundant access to highly desirable
lights, and propagating houseplants for a The towers allow students to grow fresh Lechmaier added that partnerships with produce, it’s been great to play a small part
plant sale. Throughout the course, students produce year-round while learning science schools help provide fresh produce to the in this collaboration between local busi-
research, plan, problem-solve, collect data, and engineering concepts through hands- community and create meaningful learning nesses, schools, and non-profit organizations
and reflect on their work through presenta- on experiences. Students grew lettuce, kale, opportunities for students. coming together to help make this vision a
tions and discussions. and basil this year, donating 14.77 pounds of “The impact of a partnership can’t be reality,” Arndt said.
The hydroponic grow towers were produce, nearly double last year’s 7.5-pound measured solely by the pounds of food pro- For Clark Street Community School
funded through partnerships. Clark Street donation total. duced,” Lechmaier said. “Students learn students, the project demonstrates how
Community School received two hydro- The produce will be distributed through science concepts and may develop a sense classroom learning can directly benefit the
ponic Flex Farm systems during the 2024–25 Madison Area Food Pantry Gardens, which of empowerment, teachers have a new broader community. By growing and donat-
school year. works to increase access to nutritious, cul- teaching tool, we can offer more produce to ing fresh produce, students are helping
“Part of our mission is to help advance turally meaningful produce throughout Dane pantry partners, and someone receives fresh, support neighbors, classmates, and fami-
STEM education and health equity in our County. In 2025, MAFPG distributed more healthy food as a result of this partnership.” lies throughout Dane County while gaining
local communities,” said Chris Zais, senior than 158,000 pounds of produce to nearly 40 Brian Arndt, board president of Madison valuable real-world skills along the way. The
group leader of Biophar maceuticals in organizations, including local food pantries, Area Food Pantry Gardens and an MCPASD project also reflects MCPASD’s ongoing
the Clinical Research Group of one of the community meal programs, and backpack parent, said the collaboration highlights the commitment to environmental stewardship,
partnering businesses. “The donation of the food programs. power of schools, businesses, and nonprofit sustainability, and hands-on learning oppor-
vertical gardens has enabled students to use “Partnerships like the one between organizations working together toward a tunities for students.
hands-on tools to learn about climate-smart MAFPG and Clark Street have facilitated a common goal.
agriculture and sustainable food produc- new pathway to meet this increased demand, “As a MCPASD parent myself and www.mcpasd.k12.wi.us
tion, along with empowering them to be giving more pantry shoppers access to the family medicine physician passionate