University City High School's growing agriculture program just grew some more. A shipping container fitted for hydroponics farming arrived at the school this week, bringing with it the potential for students to learn farming first-hand and grow their own food for lunch periods and businesses.
"They'll get to see firsthand how food is produced, starting from seed up to actual harvesting," said Pamela Lester, the teacher heading University City High's Agriculture and Sustainability Program.
The high school added an agriculture class during the 2023-2024 school year and saw a quick and rising interest from students. The class started with four students and ended the year with 20. Now the high school has a whole agriculture program, with 100 students signed up for courses this upcoming school year, Mike Peoples, the school's principal, said.
"We're very proud to be able to deliver this to them," Peoples said. University City High is the first school in the St. Louis area to have a hydroponic farm and state-approved career and technical education program in agriculture, school officials said. The district plans to hire another teacher and add more classes to accommodate the interest.
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