News : US Bancorp gifted $2,500 to Vinton Shellsburg Community School District

Presenting the $2,500 check to instructor Louise Fleming is Market President Jon Kremer.

About 2 years ago, the Vinton-Shellsburg Agriculture Education department started their first fish tanks. Today, they have about 24 ornamental fish tanks and five production fish tanks spread throughout the greenhouse, classroom and high school offices. Their next steps are to add the creation of aquaponic beds to their production aquaculture and a salt-water tank to the ornamental side of the fish world. Aquaponics is the growing and harvesting of garden crops by using the nitrates from the fish tanks to grow the vegetables. During this process, the plants then filter the water and allow it to return to the fish tanks cleaner and safer for the fish. The students have researched aquaponic designs and are implementing two types of common aquaponic designs; the flood and drain system (ebb and flow) and the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) system. The Aqua Science students are also experimenting with growing media to help retain the most moisture while the plant reaches maturity. The $2,500 US Bancorp Foundation gift will be used to cover the expenses and allow for the additions to our program.