School Uses Tower Garden to Introduce Students to Hydroponics

by SHAYLYNN MARKS

Bok Academy South’s agriculture program is growing — literally. The school recently installed a state-of-the-art Tower Garden system, bringing hydroponic farming directly into the classroom. The project, made possible through the Green Jean Foundation, gives students exposure to modern agricultural practices while shaping their understanding of sustainability and food systems.

“When students see these systems in action, it clicks,” says Matthew Palmer, founder of the Green Jean Foundation. “They realize farming isn’t just tractors and fields anymore. With technology, there are more opportunities than you can imagine.”

“We’re excited to have the new Tower Garden in the classroom where students can see hydroponics in action every day,” says Emilyn Sharpless, Bok Academy South’s agriculture teacher. “I want them to understand there are so many different ways to grow food and that agriculture is evolving.”

Transforming the Program

Since joining Bok Academy South in Lake Wales seven years ago, Sharpless has transformed the school’s agriculture department into a thriving learning hub. The program has grown into a dynamic space featuring a $100,000 greenhouse, raised garden beds, an aquaculture tank, and a variety of animals and crops.

“When I started, the ag department looked nothing like what you’d expect,” Sharpless says. “I’ve worked to bring in as many different systems as I can so students understand agriculture isn’t just about growing in the ground.”

By introducing the Tower Garden, students can now see the technology that’s shaping the future of farming. These students can now explore hydroponics firsthand, learning how vertical systems can grow food using water and nutrients instead of soil.

The Tower Garden uses a vertical hydroponic design, allowing students to grow plants without soil by relying on water and nutrient solutions. Sharpless says the system demonstrates techniques becoming increasingly common in urban farming, rooftop gardens, and sustainable food production.

Hands-On Learning for Students

Students have already planted seeds in the Tower Garden and are monitoring its progress daily.

“They love going over to see what’s sprouted,” Sharpless says. “Being able to watch the process every day helps them understand root systems, plant anatomy, and even topics like tropisms — how plants grow toward light.”

Sharpless plans to integrate the Tower Garden into classroom experiments. Students will compare growth patterns under different lighting and nutrient conditions, giving them valuable STEM experience and reinforcing sustainability concepts. The crops grown in the Tower Garden will also be transplanted into the school’s raised beds, connecting hydroponics with traditional farming practices.

One student was so inspired by the new system that he asked Sharpless how to get a smaller setup for home use. 

“It’s already sparking curiosity,” she beams. “That’s what this program is all about — getting students excited about science and agriculture.”

The Green Jean Foundation’s Support

The installation was made possible through the Green Jean Foundation, which provides Florida schools with innovative agricultural tools and systems.

“We want kids to have access to the same kinds of systems they’ll see out in the real world,” Palmer says. “We want to give them hands-on experience and opportunities they wouldn’t have access to otherwise.”

Sharpless expressed her gratitude for the Green Jean Foundation’s role in providing the system to campus.

 “It really opens doors for our students,” she says. “It lets them work with technology they might never get to see anywhere else.”

Spotlight on Dedication

Palmer praises Sharpless for her leadership and her impact on students both inside and outside the classroom.

“Her FFA group is one of the most celebrated in the state,” Palmer says. “The time and dedication she puts in are incredible — she’s always there, involved, and supporting her students in everything they do.”

Her program has become one of the most active in the region, inspiring students to explore careers in agriculture, horticulture, and environmental sciences.

What’s Next for Bok Academy South

The Tower Garden is just a fraction of the plans set in motion. Bok Academy South will receive additional tower systems, tabletop hydroponic setups, and a new aquaculture tank by early fall.

Sharpless says these additions will allow for more advanced experiments comparing growing environments, nutrient levels, and lighting setups, giving students experience with a variety of innovative farming techniques.

“I want my students to see the future of agriculture up close,” Sharpless says. “We talk a lot about sustainable farming, and these systems show them firsthand how food can be grown in advanced, environmentally friendly ways.”

Palmer says the Green Jean Foundation is committed to supporting schools like Bok Academy South as agriculture evolves. 

“Technology is changing farming faster than ever,” he says. “Our goal is to make sure students are prepared to step into that future with confidence and skills.”

Through hands-on learning, sustainability-driven lessons, and access to cutting-edge tools, the program is cultivating curiosity, ingenuity, and the next generation of agricultural leaders.