Milton Hershey School Hydroponics Program Highlighted by ABC27
Featuring Dr. Jason Smith, MHS Horticultural Instructional Advisor
On April 27, abc27 reporter Michella Drapac talked to Milton Hershey School hydroponics program senior Brianna Stoss and MHS Horticultural Instructional Advisor Dr. Jason Smith about the school’s hydroponics program and how student-grown produce is featured in Hershey Restaurant Week (April 26-May 2).
Each week, the program sells anywhere from 75 to over 100 pounds of hydroponic produce, including strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, and microgreens to The Hotel Hershey. These ingredients are used in culinary dishes at the four-star resort’s three restaurants –The Circular, Trevi 5, and Harvest.
“Some of the most impactful experiences our students will have are ones with very high degrees of real-world relevance and that’s exactly what they have through this partnership,” said Dr. Smith.
Brianna’s hands-on learning experience with the hydroponics program and the school’s Agriculture and Environmental Education program has helped her narrow her focus on what she wants to do following high school. After graduating this June, she plans to attend Delaware Valley to study animal and environmental sciences with the goal of becoming an agriculture advisor or teacher.