HydroponicsEnding Drought in Food

Deserts

Latoya AllahRiverside

Middle School

The Need

• “the new initiatives on hydroponic gardening are likely to come from places where you wouldn’t expect them,…less well-heeled communities are actually getting their hands dirty with hydro.”

-Dylan Ratigan (2014)

Former MSNBC Anchor

Photo Credit: http://www.house-garden.us/articles/hungry-hungry-hydro-fighting-world-hunger-with-hydroponics/

The ProblemWhat is a food desert?

• Parts of the country without equitable access to fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, usually found in impoverished areas.

• This is largely due to a lack of transportation, grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and healthy food providers.

“Mobile Grocer Aims to Alleviate “Food Desert in Southeast Raleigh”, News and Observer, February 23, 2014

http://americannutritionassociation.org/newsletter/usda-defines-food-deserts

The Problem is Close to Home

Hydroponics Brings Access to Food

http://cltampa.com/dailyloaf/archives/2011/08/01/10-restaurants-that-provide-fresh-from-the-roof-ingredients#.UzmUAtyO8jE

http://petbharoproject.co.in/Media.php

My Project

HypothesisWhich fertilizer will provide the

best hydroponic growth?

Data Collection

Feb. 15 Feb. 17 Feb. 19 Feb. 26 Mar. 12 Mar. 190

5

10

15

20

25

30

Hydroponics Growth Over Time-Urban Hydroponics

Plant 1Plant 2Plant 3Plant 4

Dates

Heig

ht in

cm.

Feb. 15 Feb. 17 Feb. 19 Feb. 26 Mar. 12 Mar. 190

5

10

15

20

25

Hydroponics Growth Over Time-Miracle Grow

Dates

Heig

ht in

cm.

Conclusion

March 21, 2014

Acknowledgements• Riverside Middle School 4-H

Club, Hydroponics Team• RMS Staff and Administrators• Susan Tyre, Martin County 4-

H Director / NC Cooperative Extension Office

• Tonya Little, RMS Assistant Principal/ STEM Coordinator