Levittown Public Library is introducing an indoor hydroponic garden to grow vegetables, herbs, and fruit. This new addition supports the library's continuing sustainability mission. The garden was launched on March 4 and currently resides in the Teen Room. It will move throughout the building, accompanied by signage to allow patrons of all ages to learn about the farmstand firsthand.
Hydroponic gardening, a popular development in the field of controlled environment agriculture, is a method of growing plants without soil. Instead, water, light, and nutrients are funneled through a self-contained unit that allows multiple plants to grow at once. This type of gardening can be done indoors, regardless of weather conditions, and with a significantly smaller footprint; Experts estimate that hydroponic farms use up to 90% less water than traditional farms.
The hydroponic garden is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Pollination Project and additional funding through the Levittown Library Foundation. The grant was awarded to Christina Reed, a student at Stony Brook University studying Economics and Sustainability. Ms. Reed is an intern and point person for the project, handling the garden's startup and leading instructional sessions for Library staff and patrons.
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