Hydroponic Farms Bring Locally Grown Produce to Lander Students

In Lander, residents have built a thriving local food movement with community gardens, a farmers market, indoor markets, and restaurants serving locally sourced meals, but students eating school-prepared food have been left out of this sustainable food system. When a cook at Child Development Services reached out to LOR about pursuing USDA Farm to School funding, conversations revealed that starting small might create a stronger foundation for a bigger vision: feeding Lander kids locally grown food. She and her colleague planned to install compact Flex Farm hydroponic systems that can produce 25 pounds of fresh produce every 28 days in minimal space. These systems will allow students to plant, care for, and harvest fresh veggies and herbs year-round, creating hands-on learning opportunities while providing ingredients for meals and snacks. Starting at CDS—which operates outside the traditional school district—creates a pilot program that can demonstrate success before expanding to elementary, middle, and high schools throughout Lander. LOR’s funding will help purchase two Flex Farm units, seed bundles, supplies, and promotional materials, establishing the first farm-to-school growing operation in Lander.