There is excitement growing, as well as an abundance of fruits and vegetables, in our local schools. As spring approaches our students are busy germinating seeds along with 21st century technology. Recently Norman S. Edelcup Sunny Isles Beach K-8 Center and Alonzo & Tracy Mourning Senior High School had Tower Gardens by Juice Plus+ installed in their classrooms.
The tower garden is a state-of-the-art vertical aeroponic growing system. It grows vegetables, herbs, edible flowers and many fruits in much less time than it takes in soil. It also uses 90% less space and 90% less water to grow the same amount of produce. All the produce is Non-GMO, Organic and uses earth based minerals for its nutrients. The Tower Garden produce is also better tasting and more nutritious than conventionally grown produce. “Learning across the curriculum is an ideal teaching practice. The Tower Garden provides teachers with an opportunity to teach science, health and environmental issues and so much more. An excellent vehicle for teaching and learning,” said Dr. Annette Weissman, Principal at Sunny Isles Beach K-8 Center.
Society is now facing an epidemic of juvenile diabetes and juvenile obesity. By teaching children the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables, and giving them autonomy by growing their own, it is Juice Plus+ mission to curb the devastating effects of these conditions and reverse, and possibly eliminate, them from plaguing the youth as well as preventing other illnesses. “The Tower Garden is combining education with real-world experience while providing something positive for the environment and at the same time is teaching our students good, healthy eating habits,” noted Mrs. Lisa Garcia, Principal at Alonzo & Tracy Mourning Sr. High.
Healthy foods build healthy minds and healthy bodies. Children are like seeds which need to be nurtured with good nutrition and love, to help them grow strong. By providing them with fresh organic fruits and vegetables we are giving them a foundation of a healthy lifestyle which will carry into their adult lives and generations to come.
Learning how to become “urban farmers” transcends all levels of academics … reading, writing, math and science … because all of these subjects come into play at the same time we are harvesting hope, cultivating minds and raising healthy children. This self-sustaining model of producing one’s own food also opens up unlimited possibilities for careers within the culinary field and environmental planning.
In a culture of immediate satisfaction, learning to have patience watching the miracle of nature taking her course providing us with an abundance of healthy food is a wonderful learning experience. Our students are totally engaged in the process from germinating their seeds, to tending them as they grow to sharing and eating healthy delicious salads together.
For more information or for sponsorship opportunities, contact Arthur Chernov at arthurchernov@aol.com or 786-390-5755.
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