Dinsmore Composite School

Growing greener futures: Dinsmore students tackle food sustainability through hydroponics.

Dinsmore Composite School

Growing greener futures: Dinsmore students tackle food sustainability through hydroponics.

The Problem

Dinsmore Composite School is in a small rural town in Saskatchewan. Despite being located in the middle of many farming communities, there is still a lack of local food supplies. This leads to fresh produce scarcity and high transportation emissions when produce is trucked in.

The Solution

The students plan to address this conundrum by installing 6 hydroponics tower gardens to directly supply their cafeteria. This year-round growing system will reduce reliance on long-distance produce, cut costs for school meal programs, and provide hands-on educational opportunities. Students, led by the DCS Growers club, will maintain the system, incorporating its use across various subjects like biology, environmental science, and food studies. With experienced guidance from a teacher skilled in hydroponics, the project will enhance climate literacy, promote healthy eating, and nurture student engagement.

8

students and 2 teachers worked directly on the project, while all 82 students through K-12 have enjoyed produce grown from the towers through the school’s breakfast club.

40

heads of lettuce and 4 large bags of kale were grown in the first first two months

Lessons Learned

Scale for success!

Dinsmore Composite’s principal worked on a large scale hydroponics set up at her last school and wanted to bring that same ambition to Dinsmore. While students started their learnings with a small garden, the principal knew there was potential to scale and grow a substantial amount of food for the community. This shows how important it is to share examples of successful projects so we can work to replicate in new locations that can benefit from these kinds of climate solutions.

“Students often sample the produce when we are working with the tower garden - eating lettuce, kale, or fresh dill right off the tower. They are eagerly watching for our green tomatoes to turn red!”

Dakota de Caux, Principal

“Working with the Net-Zero program has further inspired me to live with the climate in mind, to grow my own produce, and has given me the knowledge on how to do so. It was so cool to find another way to garden without soil, and relying solely on water and nutrients. Instructions were clear throughout the project, and it was so exciting to see the vision for the project we had come to life.”

Sierra Tully, Student Lead

Dinsmore Composite School in the News

Global News Article and Video

Watch and read Global News' interview with Dinsmore Composite School.

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Dinsmore Composite School student harvesting produce from their hydroponic towers.

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