NDDAlocalfoods

10/14/2026

🌱💚 Students are growing more than plants!

A classroom hydroponic garden can grow so much more than fresh vegetables. It can grow curiosity, confidence, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of where our food comes from.

At Grimsrud Elementary, Nicole Smith is helping students experience the excitement of growing food firsthand. From caring for their plants to watching them develop, students are building connections between agriculture, science, and nutrition along the way.

There’s something pretty special about seeing students take an active role in helping something grow. 🌿

10/12/2026

🔬🌱 Science comes to life when students can see it growing!

In the classroom, hydroponics gives students a hands-on way to explore plant biology and see science in action. They can observe roots, measure growth, learn about nutrients, and discover how water, light, and temperature affect their plants.

We’re excited to highlight Eamon Alido, science teacher at Mott-Regent Public School, for bringing these hands-on learning opportunities into the classroom and helping students explore science through growing.

When students can observe, experiment, and learn from something growing right in front of them, science becomes more than a lesson, it becomes an experience. 🌿

10/09/2026

Thank you to Strong Farm by Strengthen ND for letting me help with the final food school food distribution of the season! What an awesome way to celebrate North Dakota Farm to School Month! 🥕🍎

10/08/2026

🥬🍽️ Where does our food come from?

For students growing food in a hydroponic classroom, that question becomes a firsthand experience.

When students have the opportunity to grow their own food, they can develop a greater curiosity and willingness to try new foods. There’s something special about watching a seed grow into a vegetable and then getting to taste something you helped grow yourself! 🌱🥗

These hands-on experiences can help students make meaningful connections between agriculture, nutrition, and the food on their plates.

A special shout-out to Robin Rivinius and the students at Taylor Public School for creating hands-on opportunities for students to grow, learn, and connect with their food. 🌱

We love seeing Farm to School in action!

10/06/2026

🌱 What is hydroponics and what does it have to do with Farm to School?

Hydroponics grows plants without soil, using just water and nutrients to help them thrive.

In North Dakota classrooms, hydroponic systems not only give students a hands-on way to explore how food grows while connecting classroom learning to agriculture, but also provide a healthy, nutritious snack!

We’re excited to celebrate Jill Dahl and the students at Tate T**a Tribal School in Fort Totten, one of over the 100 classrooms in our state bringing hydroponics into the classroom and creating opportunities for students to learn, grow, and experience agriculture firsthand. 🌿

10/01/2026

A whole month of Farm to School means a whole month of pictures from all over the state showcasing the Farm to School efforts happening through Ag in the Classroom kits, farm field trips, hydroponic and outdoor gardens and more!

To kick it off, here's a refresher! You can watch the full video at www.ndda.nd.gov/farm-school 🍎

09/30/2026

September was BUSY! 🍎🌾

From ND Agriculture in the Classroom activities at the Pride of Dakota showcase in Dickinson, to tabling at Minot Farmers Market's Picklicious Party and Finley Farmers Market, Local Foods covered A LOT of ground! 🚗💨

(Not pictured: the Jamestown, ND Farmers Market, and McClusky markets we were supposed to be at… until Mother Nature had other plans.) 🌧

Not quite all four corners of the state, but we sure made our way across North Dakota! 💚

And we’re just getting started… Farm to School Month is next! Get ready for a month of local food, learning, Crunch Offs, and celebrating the connections between our schools, farmers, and communities. 🏫🥕

And maybe… keep an eye out for a few extra opportunities coming your way this October. 👀

October, here we come! 🍂

09/25/2026

09/03/2026

What happens when you put a cherry tomato in a hydroponic garden and just let it grow? 🤔

Well, the 2nd and 3rd graders in Apple Creek Elementary's Plant Pals group found out. It makes one monster of a plant! 🍅

Nicole Gustafson is one of over 100 teachers in North Dakota who have received a hydroponic garden for classroom education on agriculture and local foods. She says this year, the Plant Pals are going to try cucumbers next. 🥒

08/31/2026

Thank you to Heather and Billie from CommonGround North Dakota for having me on their podcast to talk all things Local Foods!