Niles middle schoolers harvest first crops from hydroponic farm

NILES, Mich. - Seventh graders at Ring Lardner Middle School in Niles collected the first crops from their very own hydroponic farm Monday morning.

"This was a very student-led project," said Alicia Kuntz, the students' science teacher. "The students did all the research for it, they decided how to set up the towers. They've been maintaining the towers, adding the water and nutrients, trimming the roots and make sure that everything is operating correctly."

The farm, which was started by the students in February, requires no soil for the plants to grow.

After harvesting them, Kuntz's students shared the fruits, vegetables and herbs they grew with other students at lunch.