Growing a Salad Wall
January 2025
To meet the requirements for a high school diploma in Ohio, some of the children being held at the Youth Detention Center are required to earn Industry Recognized Credentials (IRC).
IRC’s are an innovative approach to help high school students become career ready. A variety of career fields qualify for IRC, ranging from information technology to construction to agriculture and environmental systems.
Earning your diploma while being housed at the Youth Center limits options for students to earn their IRCs. But our Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) teachers at the Youth Center are rarely deterred and always determined to find ways to support their students.
To allow the students to earn IRCs this year, the school district purchased a hydroponic system. Under the guidance of CPS staff, students began their journey into understanding the intricate workings of growing basil and romaine lettuce. Hydroponics allows plants to grow in an artificial environment, without soil, using water-based mineral nutrient solutions.
Art teacher Penny Harris opened her art room to the system and oversaw the IRC project for 10 students. Seeds were planted and it took about five weeks of checking pH levels, adding vitamins, and replenishing water to watch the seeds grow into edible produce, following curriculum provided by Fork Farms.
In addition to learning how to grow basil and romaine, Ms. Harris wanted to be sure the students had a chance to taste the fresh produce when it reached maturity, just minutes after it was picked.
That resulted in Salad Day in the art room. Students got to enjoy a salad that included romaine and basil that they grew themselves. “I can’t believe we grew real live lettuce,” said one of the students. “This is the best meal I have had here!” The students especially love dousing their homegrown lettuce in ranch dressing!
Connecting students to IRC opportunities can put them on a path to success after high school, allowing them to enter the workforce right out of high school or provide them with direction as they move on to higher education.
In the past, our students have participated in community service and art-based IRCs. Another agricultural IRC is currently underway.
Get the chips ready. This time the students will grow tomatoes, peppers, and cilantro to make salsa!