HYDROPONICS Garden of Opportunity Six-week hydroponics learning lab will provide Amani residents with homegrown collard greens distributed at Thanksgiving event
If you ever have ever walked past the Dominican Center at 24th and Locust in the heart of the Amani neighborhood, you probably have seen the glowing pink hue from the basement. These radiating lights come from a hydroponics lab also known as the “Garden of Opportunity.” Hydroponics are a method of growing food in- doors that uses nutrient-dense water to grow plants without needing soil. Instead, seeds sprout from sponges that soak up water and typical- ly grow faster than they would outdoors in soil and sunlight. DC’s hydroponics lab supports the Amani Revitalization Plan’s concentration areas of Education and Family Well-Being and Housing and Economic Development. With the creation of this lab, opportunities in Amani continue to grow. Next, a six-week learning lab (AgTech) aimed at Amani youth will provide hands-on activities in the lab. Students will see how fresh vegetables and herbs are grown and will even experiment with a project that will pro- duce homegrown collard greens that will be dis- tributed during DC’s Thanksgiving meal giveaway event on Nov. 19. “Hydroponics promote STEAM (Science, Technolo- gy, Engineering, Art, & Math) though various integral activities, from measurements and calculations, to understanding and operating safe machinery, to the simplest basics of biochemistry and more,” said Shelley Mathews, CEO/Founder of FullCircle26, Inc.
“FullCircle26, Inc. is, “dedicated to schools, com- munity groups and individuals seeking to provide year-long indoor food production on a local basis.” said Mathews. “The COVID-19 virus has exposed the vulnerability of food shortages for children and families that relied on schools for food and the rates of hunger have soared since 2020,” says Mathews. Difficulty for food access doesn’t stop there. Am- ani is a “food desert,” meaning within the neigh- borhood’s borders, there is no access to grocery stores selling fresh food. With an opportunity for residents to grow their own, this program pro- vides a different perspective. “Not only does this provide the kids with the abil- ity to grow their own food, but this program also teaches students to nurture and care for other living things while developing patience and un- derstanding for nature and the world around us,” says DC Youth Organizer Amanda Clark. “Through guidance and motivation, youth will gain self-con- fidence, healthy lifestyle eating habits and trouble shooting skills. Our goal is to empower them to become innovative leaders of the future... Our Next Generation Innovators!”
Written by Kylie Goetz, special to DC
To support our Hydroponics program, visit: www.dominican-center.org/hydroponics.html
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