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CANTON — Repsol recently met with the Canton FFA to discuss and view their Aeroponics system project, which they helped fund.
Scott Snow of Repsol visited and check out the progress of the project with Ethan Engel, a CHS senior, who proposed the project.
He originally discussed the project as a junior in December of 2019, after seeing a relative who sells the towers as a side job.
“What inspired to propose the project a relative that sells the unit was talking to me about it. It seemed to me like a good asset for us to have for education in an AG program,” said Engel. “So over the next few months went through the process and ultimately Repsol was gracious enough to pay for the whole unit and its many amenities.”
Aeroponics is the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment without the use of soil or an aggregate medium.
The Aeroponics system works off of water, nutrients, light and proper pH. It can grow and produce plants from seed to maturity in about three and half to four weeks.
“Little did we know how few opportunities we would have this year, so it offered the students something to work with and observe,” said Tom Hojnowski, one of the advisors of the agricultural program. “The hope would be we perhaps get two more units and after using them in the high school and high school facilities, take them to the elementary school to extend the learning.”
Hojnowski says that Engel has been a critical part of the farm show throughout the years, with landscaping displays and dealing with situations involving growing plants that are out of season.
Of course, the project would not have been possible if it weren’t for Repsol helping with the funding.
“A big Thank You to Repsol for their funding of the Aeroponics system project,” said Hojnowski. “In a year of challenging times to do new and fun activities, Ethan’s proposal added to this past year with a great opportunity of growing things in a different way.”
He says that while working with Repsol, they have found that Repsol enjoys working with and supporting the FFA and using STEM projects to help the students with hands-on learning. This helps then to better prepare them as future workers after high school.
Additional recognition is given to Brandy McRoberts, Gracie Mead and Reagan Kelley, who also assisted with the project.
For more information on the project, contact Hojnowski or advisor Mason Tate.