Growing a Greener Future: Winona Area Public Schools Celebrates Earth Day with a Fresh Harvest

On Earth Day, April 22, Winona Area Public Schools (WAPS) in Minnesota celebrated something truly special: their commitment to sustainability, student learning, and fresh food. At Winona Senior High School, students, staff, and local media gathered for a hands-on harvest event showcasing the school’s innovative indoor hydroponic growing system, powered by Fork Farms’ Flex Farms.

In just six Flex Farms, students grow close to 200 pounds of fresh lettuce each month, all of it harvested and served directly in the school cafeteria’s salad bar. This is Minnesota’s first-ever Flex Connect system, a collaborative growing model that links multiple Flex Farms together for greater impact. It’s a powerful example of what’s possible when schools embrace hyperlocal food production and student-centered sustainability.

FFA Officer and student Farm Manager Miriam Jackson, alongside School Nutrition Director Jennifer Walters, led the event. Both shared their experiences running the Flex Connect system — from testing pH and nutrient levels to monitoring crop cycles and integrating real-world farming skills into the school day. It’s not just about growing lettuce; it’s about growing scientists, problem-solvers, and changemakers.

Each Flex Farm can grow 25 pounds of leafy greens in just 28 days, using hydroponics — a soil-free growing method that saves space and water while boosting yield. WAPS uses the Flex Farms across subjects, from health and agriculture to STEM and nutrition education. Students are learning firsthand how food grows and how it can impact both personal health and planetary well-being.

In addition to lush green lettuce, the school’s Flex Farms are now sprouting basil and cherry tomatoes, proving just how versatile and inspiring hydroponic farming can be. During the event, media outlets from across Minnesota and Wisconsin — including the Minnesota Star Tribune, Winona Post, KTTC-TV, WXOW-TV, KIMT-TV, and WKBT-TV — captured the excitement, the learning, and the literal farm-to-fork journey happening inside Winona Senior High School.

KIMT-TV Winona high school students harvest lettuce grown inside the school

KTTC-TV From harvest to salad bar: Winona students grow fresh greens for school lunch

WXOW-TV Hydroponics help students in Winona learn and grow

Star Tribune - This Minnesota high school is stocking its salad bar with lettuce it grows on-site

Winona Post - Homegrown greens on school menu

WKBT-TV - Winona Senior High School students grow 50 pounds of lettuce for Earth Day celebration

We’re proud to support Winona Area Public Schools as they lead the way in sustainable school nutrition. Their Flex Connect system isn’t just growing food — it’s growing a brighter, healthier future for all.