Maize High will start growing its own produce outside the science area in the next school year.

The school was awarded a grant of $12,500 from the Kansas Department of Agriculture to use toward supplies needed and different test methods of producing. These methods include hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics, and raised-bed gardens.

Science teacher Jay Super is excited for the grant and is looking forward to the upcoming project.

“You can’t get any fresher than taking it from the south end of the building and carrying it down to the cafeteria,” Super said.

Agriculture students will team up with students in the culinary arts program to put together at least two locally produced food items that will be served to students in the lunchroom for a minimum of five months in the next two school years.

While other schools that received the grant are taking a different route, Maize plans to stick to urban farming techniques. These techniques don’t need as much space and the plants will grow year round.

Outside in the raised-bed gardens is where they will grow items such as carrots, radishes and other produce that is rich in soil. Indoors is where they will have the hydroponic and aeroponic systems. Lettuce, tomatoes and items that require little to no soil will be planted here.

The school is also planning on creating a farm-to-school outreach program for elementary schoolers as part of the grant. Once it’s figured out which systems work the best, mini-farm “kits” will be made to share in the classrooms of elementary schools in the district.

The rest of the school year will be spent getting the supplies and setting up the garden, along with researching which types of produce will work best in each area. If everything goes as planned, the first school-grown salads may be available soon after the start of the new school year in August.