by Savannah Wood, FOX 11 News

February 1st 2025

CRIVITZ (WLUK) -- Students at Crivitz Middle School are getting their hands dirty in the science department, learning what it takes to grow their own food -- right inside their classroom.

Thanks to a grant from Provident Health Foundation, the science program received an indoor hydroponic system.

"They get to see how their food is grown and they are involved in that process. Taking the food and giving it directly to cafeteria where the students see it on display," says science teacher Shane Graves.

Two science classes are getting a first-hand look at where the food they eat comes from.

"I knew nothing about it. I don't have a green thumb. It's super easy to set up, super easy to grow, super easy to maintain and you would not think that 6th graders would come in excited to see lettuce being grown," says 6th grade science and social studies teacher Scott Evosevich.

Graves says students develop their skills along the way.

"The students come in and we plant seeds, allow them to sprout and grow and then the students help transfer those plants into the hydroponic system. It takes several weeks for the routes to develop and everything, but we are essentially growing food to supply to our cafeteria," says Graves.

"It's really helpful knowing where your food comes from, and it helps supply the cafeteria. You have more money for the other things that the school needs," says 8th grade student Georgia Blom.

Romaine and basil grown in the system are used daily in lunches throughout the school district.

The system is able to grow over 25 pounds of fresh food every 28 days.

Fork Farms Associate Vice President of Partnership Development Kit Collins says, "They are getting all these fantastic lessons about science and STEM and plant biology, but they are also, maybe subconsciously, increasing their positive perception of fresh food, and they are more likely to actually consume that fresh food that they are growing."

"They even come in my class when they are not supposed to be in there," says Evosevich.

The teachers hope to bring hydroponic systems to every science classroom in the district.