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CFHS Fresh Farm wins $100,000 grant to expand hydroponics and food distribution
Summary
Cuyahoga Falls High School’s Fresh Farm program received a $100,000 grant to add hydroponic grow walls, vertical towers, a high tunnel and composting equipment, boosting student career training and local food donations.
Cuyahoga Falls City School District on Wednesday celebrated a $100,000 grant award to its CFHS Fresh Farm program, which district presenters said will fund hydroponic systems, a high tunnel and other equipment to increase both student technical training and food donations to the community.
"We were awarded $100,000 for our program," said Steve McIntosh, a Fresh Farm co-leader, who described plans to install a 9-foot-by-9-foot hydroponic grow wall that the presenters estimated could produce about 1,200 pounds of lettuce annually. McIntosh said the grant will also buy vertical grow towers used for industry credentials, a vermiflow compost system, a BCS tractor and a high tunnel to extend the growing season.
The presentation outlined how the equipment will be used in classes and community service: CFHS students will grow produce for school cafeterias and area food banks and earn credentials tied to careers in agriculture and environmental sciences. McIntosh said Fresh Farm already donates roughly 2,000–3,000 pounds a year and that the program has donated more than 17,000 pounds of food since 2018.
Superintendent staff and board members praised the work as both instructional and service-oriented. Board members joined staff and Fresh Farm leaders for photographs and applause after the announcement.
District leaders said the grant came through an area foundation program that funds childhood food-security efforts and that program funds will be spent quickly to install equipment and scale student participation. Staff encouraged community members to visit the greenhouse or contact program leaders for more details on volunteer opportunities and partnerships.
The board did not take any formal vote on the grant during the presentation; it was presented as an informational update and recognition of the classroom and community partnership.
