South Putnam High School Aquaculture Open House

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN

After months of work, South Putnam High School's remodeled aquaculture and plant facility was ready for students, parents, and neighbors to see during an open house Sept. 8. The facility now features six production and nursery fish tanks, four research tanks, and one quarantine tank. The fish waste is circulated to the hydroponic and aeroponic plant growth systems in a recirculating aquaculture system set up by Eric Curran (a SPHS alumnus) of Falling Waters Farm. The facility also features microgreen growth and food packaging systems. "Few colleges do both (aquaculture and plant growth)," Curran said. "Many schools are starting to get into this, but they're few and far between." The updated facilities will allow students to go straight from high school to employment at Falling Waters Farm.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick stopped by to visit South Putnam's new facility. From left: Senior student Savannah McIntosh, Dr. McCormick, senior student Ryan Neumann and High School Principal Mike Schimpf. "Programs like this are important for several reasons," Dr. McCormick said. "They give students hands-on, relevant experience. And with the economy of Indiana, it's important to expose students to agriculture. Congratulations to South Putnam students, teachers and community members who supported this." (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)
Myer's Market catered the event with fried fish purchased from South Putnam just two days before. Myer's will continue purchasing fish from South Putnam, and is currently looking to sell microgreens as well. (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)
Dr. McCormick (left) asks senior student McIntosh questions about the nursery tanks. "It's astounding," Wes Hacker, school board president, said. "We found a good corporate partner who was willing to turn it into a modern facility. I hope it puts South Putnam back on the map from where we were 30 years ago." (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)
Dr. McCormick (right) and senior student McIntosh share a laugh during a tour of the production fish tanks. "This offers me hands-on experience," McIntosh said. "I can plant this, harvest it, package and sell it." (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)

South Putnam's drip irrigation and aeroponics system, currently growing tomatoes. The plants are fed by water from the fish facilities via a recirculating aquaculture system installed by Eric Curran (a SPHS alumnus) of Falling Waters Farm. The plants were part of a large donation from Harriman Farms. (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)
The hyrdoponics and microgreens systems, currently growing tomatoes, peppers, basil and a wide variety of microgreens. The hydroponics system is also fed by the recirculating aquaculture system. (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)
The microgreens growth system. Microgreens are much smaller than their original counterparts, but have the same nutritional value and flavor. South Putnam hopes to begin selling them to Myer's Market and Kroger. (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)
The food packaging and labeling facility, which hosted microgreens tasting during the event. "They've done a good job," Schimpf said. "A lot of people have put in a lot of effort. It's all come together." (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)
Dr. McCormick (far right) learns about hydroponics from ag teacher Amanda King (middle) and senior student McIntosh. (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)
Dr. McCormick explores tomatoes growing in the hydroponics system. (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)
Dr. McCormick (middle) tries microgreens with senior student McIntosh (far left) and Bryce and Bethany (far right) LeBlanc. Bethany is an English teacher at South Putnam. (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)
Jon Shope (far right), president of Falling Waters Farm, talks with Dr. McCormick and ag teacher King (middle). (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)
Representative Jim Baird (far right) learns about microgreens from South Putnam High School students and FFA members. (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)
Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt explores the fish nursery with granddaughter Zoey. (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)
Greencastle High School Principal Russ Hesler tries a microgreen with South Putnam ag teacher Amanda King. (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)
SPHS alumnus Jake Gould versus the buzz button, a lemony spicy microgreen that normally gets a strong reaction from its victims. (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)
Putnam County Sheriff Scott Stockton versus the buzz button. (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)
Ivy Tech professor John Rosene versus the buzz button. Rosene said that he hopes to build similar facilities at the Greencastle Ivy Tech campus. (Banner Graphic/CHELSEA MODGLIN)