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Foundations of Hydroponics Skill Certificate

Our industry-recognized credential gives high school students foundational knowledge and hands-on experience to prepare them to enter a career in indoor farming.

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Skills Industry Needs

This skill certificate verifies a student’s technical competency and validates foundational knowledge of and skills in hydroponics operation. Skills learned include: plant biology, seed germination, transplanting, hydroponic nutrient management, pH balancing, data collection and interpretation, water flow troubleshooting, harvesting, and crop yield economics.

How teachers become evaluators

Teachers are certified after completing our 1-hour online training course and working with the Flex Farm for one semester.

Core credential activities

Teachers teach the appropriate grade-level curriculum to the students, supervise them operating a Flex Farm for one growth cycle from seed to harvest, assess them using our Badge Program, and keep records of completed Badge Program sheets.

How students earn this credential

Students participate in curriculum training, operate a Flex Farm from seed to harvest, and demonstrate competency of foundational knowledge and skills by successfully completing the Badging Assessment Program.

Equipment Required

A hydroponic Flex Farm is needed for students to gain hands-on experience to earn this credential. Flex Farm purchase includes access to Farmative, our online platform with our teacher training course, curriculum, and Badge Assessment program. In Ohio there is no additional cost per student to earn the credential.

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