Students at North Woods International Elementary School are growing and eating fresh vegetables thanks in part to a grant from the La Crosse Public Education Foundation.

Nancy Hanson’s classroom is home to a set of Tower Gardens, unique vertical gardens used to grow organic vegetables with only a fraction of the water needed to grow the equivalent amount of produce using traditional methods. The gardens are portable and can be used year-round.

On May 17, two third-grade classes harvested fresh lettuce. “We had enough to fill a whole tray for lunch,” said Mrs. Hanson. “The students were so excited that they ate more salad during one grade level’s lunch than is usually eaten in a whole day!  They said it was the best lettuce they had ever eaten!”

The Tower Gardens were purchased this winter with an LPEF grant for $1,690, with underwriting support from Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare.

Through use of the gardens, students learn a variety of key concepts for third-grade science. Plus, studies show that students are more likely to try and like produce they have a role in growing themselves.

Click here for more information about LPEF grant programs — and consider a donation to help support future grants.