Producer
Angoon Schools Hydroponic Garden
Contact: Jolene Watkins, Ryan Smith, & Emma Demmert
Address: PO Box 109 Angoon, AK, 99820
About Us
The Angoon Schools Hydroponic Garden, managed by the Chatham School District and students, focuses on enhancing local food sovereignty by producing fresh, healthy produce year-round. Utilizing modern hydroponic technology, the program promotes sustainable agricultural practices in the community. It serves as an educational platform where students learn essential skills in resilience, food diversity, and sustainability.
Practices
The Angoon Schools Hydroponic Garden cultivates produce using advanced practices in a controlled hydroponic environment, utilizing grow towers and Bato buckets. In the towers, we set up a clean, vertical, soil-free system where nutrient-rich water is continuously recirculated to nourish the plants. Seeds are planted in rock wool cubes, which provide moisture and support during germination. Once the seedlings grow their true leaves, they are transplanted into the tower’s slots, where their roots access the nutrient solution directly.
For larger crops like tomatoes and peppers, we use Bato buckets, which allow for better root space, efficient drainage, and optimal development. Wi-Fi-enabled monitors track the water's pH and nutrient levels, helping us to keep both at an ideal level that ensures healthy growth.
The towers are equipped with LED lights that provide full-spectrum lighting, essential for photosynthesis. The garden room is equipped with air filters and proper air circulation to maintain a disease-free environment. Water is first purified through a reverse osmosis filtration system before being enriched with nutrients and delivered to the plants. This hydroponic system is highly efficient, using up to 95% less water than traditional farming, making it eco-friendly.
Regular inspections help us monitor for pests and diseases, and if needed, organic treatments would be used. Clean harvesting practices are emphasized, including handwashing and glove wearing. By consistently monitoring and adjusting environmental factors such as pH, nutrients, and lighting, we ensure the production of fresh, sustainable produce in an efficient and clean manner.
For larger crops like tomatoes and peppers, we use Bato buckets, which allow for better root space, efficient drainage, and optimal development. Wi-Fi-enabled monitors track the water's pH and nutrient levels, helping us to keep both at an ideal level that ensures healthy growth.
The towers are equipped with LED lights that provide full-spectrum lighting, essential for photosynthesis. The garden room is equipped with air filters and proper air circulation to maintain a disease-free environment. Water is first purified through a reverse osmosis filtration system before being enriched with nutrients and delivered to the plants. This hydroponic system is highly efficient, using up to 95% less water than traditional farming, making it eco-friendly.
Regular inspections help us monitor for pests and diseases, and if needed, organic treatments would be used. Clean harvesting practices are emphasized, including handwashing and glove wearing. By consistently monitoring and adjusting environmental factors such as pH, nutrients, and lighting, we ensure the production of fresh, sustainable produce in an efficient and clean manner.