Freight Container Farming

Wouldn’t it be great to have fresh greens in your backyard in winter? Starting this year, GCDS is growing spinach and a variety of lettuce and herbs in a freight container behind the school. The effort, initiated by the Upper School Sustainability program, provides more fresh food to the Dining Hall. More importantly, however, container farming is a way for students to learn about growing food for communities to create a more sustainable local food system.

Hawkins Barratt Heitmann, a recent college graduate who studied biology, was tasked with getting the container farm up and running with the help of the Sustainability Diploma students. The school acquired the container through “Freight Farm,” an agriculture technology company that manufactures container farms with retrofitted hydroponic farming systems. Using automated temperature controls, LED lights, and a water system, containers like this one are located around the world and are able to grow produce year-round.

“Our goal is for it to be completely student run,” said Barratt Heitmann. “Students will coordinate with the Dining Hall to meet their needs as locally available produce changes.”

Senior Tyler Rosolen works closely with Barratt Heitmann on the farm— seeding, transplanting, and harvesting. Moving into the spring, he will be taking a larger role and run the farm as a student leader. Tyler will also work on the farm for his Senior Internship, a signature GCDS program during which seniors put their learning to work on a real-world problem or challenge. Recently, Tyler gave the Upper Elementary School Gardening Club a tour of the container to learn about a different way of “gardening.”

"I have learned a lot not only in terms of agriculture and how to run the farm, but also about myself. When I am able to explore a passion like this and when what I’m doing is for a larger cause, I become truly dedicated and want success.” — TYLER

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