Category — Hydroponics News

This year, Carol Nissen’s crops include mesclun, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, and assorted herbs. When she sits down to dine, she’s often eating food grown with her own two hands. [Read more →]

An herb native to New Mexico, with qualities that many claim to be almost mythical has been used medicinally for centuries throughout the Southwest by American Indians and Hispanics to treat ailments ranging from toothaches to sinus infections.

The Herb, known as yerba mansa , is on the “watch” list by United Plant Savers. Cultivation of the herb was chosen because it is a resilient native crop that will grow in almost any conditions. Bill Quiroga, President of the Native American Botanics and Yaquis tribe member in Tucson, Ariz., says that one of the best ways to grow yerba mansa is with aeroponics.

Though his research has been halted due to lack of funding. “We have to find ways to grow it so that we keep the herb for later generations,” Quiroga’s goal is to have American Indian farmers grow the herbs with aeroponics, and supply his wholesale company.

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Ian Coutts may be a temporary teacher, but he is teaching something these kids will hopefully keep with them forever. He is teaching his students how to grow fruits and veggies at Goonellabah and Manifold Public School.

“It’s cool and it’s fun and we get healthy food… and it saves us from doing school work!” 11-year-old Goonellabah Public School student Jamie Saunderson said. “I’m going to grow vegies at home now… dad’s going to put a fence around a spot I’ve picked out and we’re going to make a garden together.”
That is the type of response that Ian was looking for.

The hands on approach for younger children can help them grasp concepts and foster interest. Shannon Lee from Lismore Hydroponics is taking an interest as well, donating and setting up a hydroponic strawberry tower. Ian is in the process of setting up a basic aquaponics system so that kids can see how this system works.

“Some of these students may struggle in a classroom environment but they love pulling out weeds and shovelling dirt. They particularly enjoy the hands-on aspect and learning in an outdoor environment,” Ian said. “If you can give children at this age first-hand experiences about healthy eating and sustainability, they will hopefully carry those practices into their adult lives.”

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