Key Takeaways:
- NY Sun Works, Jones Valley Teaching Farm, and Birmingham City Schools are launching a hydroponic farming initiative in eight public schools.
- The program features six indoor hydroponic classrooms and two greenhouses, incorporating hands-on STEM and sustainability education.
- Classrooms will be equipped with advanced systems like growing towers, seedling stations, and worm composting, with curriculum and teacher training provided by NY Sun Works.
- The initiative aims to increase attendance, expand STEM career pathways, and grow up to 4,000 pounds of fresh produce annually.
- The program is supported by seed funding from the City of Birmingham and Birmingham City Schools, with a scheduled launch on August 7, 2025.
NY Sun Works Brings Hydroponic Agriculture to Birmingham Classrooms
NY Sun Works, in collaboration with Jones Valley Teaching Farm and Birmingham City Schools, is set to implement a hydroponic agriculture program across eight public schools in Birmingham, Alabama. The announcement marks a significant expansion of food-based and STEM education in the region, using technology-driven solutions to address both academic and community needs.
“This initiative will provide students with year-round interactive learning experiences in sustainable agriculture, while also fostering a deep understanding and curiosity of STEM principles and environmental stewardship,” said Manuela Zamora, Executive Director of NY Sun Works.
The participating schools span the Jackson-Olin feeder pattern, including Jackson-Olin High School, two middle schools, one K–8 school, and four elementary schools—collectively serving over 3,700 students.
Hydroponic Labs to Support Food and STEM Education
The program will install six hydroponic classrooms and two greenhouses, custom-designed and built by NY Sun Works. Each facility will feature modern agricultural tools such as growing towers, vine crop systems, seedling stations, and composting systems—offering a full seed-to-harvest experience for students.
Teachers will receive ongoing professional development and access to NY Sun Works’ standards-aligned curriculum, developed from the organization’s experience supporting over 350 hydroponic classrooms and reaching more than 140,000 students annually.
In the new hydroponic environments, students will grow produce such as leafy greens and herbs using controlled environment agriculture, which can yield crops up to three times faster than traditional methods while using up to 95% less water.
Boosting Attendance and Student Engagement Through Hands-On Learning by NY Sun Works
This initiative is also designed to address systemic educational challenges such as chronic absenteeism, which has seen improvement in Birmingham City Schools—from 29.09% in 2022 to 13.64% in 2024. Project-based learning, such as the model supported by NY Sun Works, has been linked to higher student attendance and increased academic engagement.
“Expanding and diversifying food-based educational programming through hydroponics at the eight schools within the Jackson-Olin feeder pattern marks a significant next step in our partnership,” said Dr. Mark Sullivan, Superintendent of Birmingham City Schools. “This expansion will allow 3,700 additional students to experience food-based education.”
Surveys show strong outcomes: 94% of teachers in NY Sun Works classrooms report increased environmental awareness among students, and 92% report improved engagement in science.
Pathways to Careers in Agriculture and Sustainability
The program also focuses on future career development. Students, particularly at the high school level, will benefit from paid internships, industry credentials, and exposure to emerging fields such as agtech, environmental science, and green innovation.
“This is a game-changing opportunity for our students,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “They will receive valuable work-based learning experiences aligned with state educational standards and workforce readiness goals.”
By introducing hydroponic agriculture through NY Sun Works’ proven model, the initiative aims to cultivate not only crops but also a generation of students prepared for careers in sustainable agriculture, food systems, and STEM disciplines.
