ROCHELLE — 

It’s a lesson in nutrition, science, math, and life skills all wrapped in one tower — a garden tower that is.

Students in the Ogle County Education Cooperative Life Skills classrooms at Rochelle Middle School and Rochelle Township High School are learning about growing food thanks to a partnership with one local business.

CHS Rochelle donated funds to purchase six tower gardens for OCEC classrooms. Along with the two classrooms in Rochelle, two gardens are located at Chana Education Center, one at David L. Rahn in Mt. Morris, and one at Oregon High School.

On Thursday, representatives with CHS Rochelle visited the RMS and RTHS classrooms to see the progress and visit with the students. RMS Life Skills teacher Alan Wold explained in September the students planted the seeds and six weeks later transplanted the sprouts into the pods inside the tower garden. They are assigned several duties tending to the garden.

“The students are in charge of making sure the water is at the proper level; they do the pH testing, and they help with adding the nutrients…this is all part of their chores,” Wold explained. “It teaches them responsibility and about science, nutrition, and math. It’s multi-learning.”

The tower garden is an aeroponic system, allowing up to 20 vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers in less than three square feet. The aeroponic method is similar to hydroponic as both are suitable for indoor horticulture, but the aeroponic does not require a growing medium like hydroponic systems do.

The plants are suspended in a chamber and a nutrient solution is sprayed from below and because the garden is indoors it is less vulnerable to pest attacks and soil born diseases.

Emily Hussey, speech language pathologist formerly working with OCEC is familiar with the growing system. Hussey owns one in her Byron home and has helped place several tower gardens in schools.

She explained the inspiration came after hearing about a teacher in New York that uses the tower gardens to foster learning. After learning about CHS and the Community Stewardship Committee, Hussey thought it would be a perfect opportunity for the OCEC students.

“This teaches students about giving back and growing food,” Hussey said. “Research shows when kids are part of the process and invest time in it, they are so much more likely to try these foods.”

Garden fragrance

Walking inside Wold’s classroom, one cannot help but notice the smells of sweet basil and two varieties of tomatoes. Also growing are peppers, eggplant, and cucumber.

Lynn Smith, Human Resources Coordinator and Assistant with CHS Rochelle enjoyed visiting with the students to see the progress, noticing the fragrance as well. Smith explained each year the Community Stewardship Committee meets to research the community’s needs and wants, determining how to invest resources.

Smith said the tower gardens for OCEC is one of several ideas the team researched.

CHS Rochelle has previously donated monies from their charity golf outing to the education center.

“Because we have a continued relationship with the OCEC and they have graciously shared the tower garden photos and thank you notes from the students, CHS Rochelle employees enjoy seeing the progress of these gardens,” Smith said. “It’s exciting to know these gardens help students learn where their food comes from plus participate in the planting, production and tasting processes. They love salads!”

Wold said the students have already harvested a batch of lettuce before Thanksgiving, which the students enjoyed tremendously. He also remarked how well the students have taken to the garden.

“They’ve enjoyed it, I’ve enjoyed it. Everyone I talk to about this is amazed that we have it, asking where we got it from,” Wold said. “It’s been a good addition to the classroom.”