Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Programs Outreach topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
LCUAS highlights hydroponic projects, school partnerships and March 28 community events
Summary
Executive Director Jose Garcia and staff reported on hydroponic tower and storage-bin installations, an elementary summer camp partnership, virtual gardening classes, and volunteer events with Laredo College and South Texas Food Bank, including a tulip workshop and Easter egg hunt on March 28.
The Laredo Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability presented program updates on March 19, detailing hydroponic installations, school partnerships and community outreach.
Executive Director Jose Garcia described two hydroponic models the center is using: a 15-pot vertical tower that circulates nutrient-enriched water and a storage-bin aerated system. "We installed it about three weeks ago and we have been seeing positive outcomes — the seeds have hatched and the plants are growing," Garcia said, adding that the towers require periodic nutrient additions and maintenance.
Garcia said the center will support a summer garden camp at Sanin Elementary School with donated seeds, compost and a hydroponic tower, and that Jose Moreno will give lessons twice weekly in June. Staff also reported an online class series (the first gardening class had eight to ten participants) and outreach to Gateway Community Health, which had about 34 participants at a recent presentation.
The center is partnering with Laredo College students for a volunteer day at the South Texas Food Bank on March 28 and will host a tulip workshop and Easter egg hunt (1–5 p.m.) in partnership with the college's Bizorggo program. Staff asked members to help recruit vendors and toy donations for children's prizes.
Board members asked technical questions about equipment — confirming the storage-bin system uses a small air compressor and that units are outdoors — and suggested exploring solar power for pumps; staff said they would investigate solar options. Staff cautioned that investing in solar or permanent infrastructure should wait until building placement and ownership are settled for Concho house and any mobile unit.
The center said it will continue its partnerships with schools and the Laredo Food Policy Council and will provide scheduling and registration updates for virtual classes.
