In the mornings, before school begins, a group of students is hard at work in the Greeley Greenhouse harvesting fresh lettuce, kale, and herbs for families in Mount Kisco.
The Greeley Growers is an independent, student-led project founded by junior Riya A. and advised by Dr. Pease and Mr. DeBellis, with support from Mr. May. Additional leadership is provided by juniors Addison P., Alivia B., Molly F., Tavia D., Rachel P., Aarush D. The initiative uses the Sustainability Research Center (SRC) to grow vegetables that are donated to The Pantry in Mount Kisco, an organization that provides food for local families in need.
Riya started this initiative when she was a sophomore, after realizing the Greeley greenhouse could help support people beyond our school. “I thought it would be an interesting idea to create a project to help the community. I love plants, so this felt like a great way to use the greenhouse we have at Greeley,” she said.
The group meets in the greenhouse one to two days a week. Since last year, they have grown lettuce, kale, cilantro, and basil. Last year, they harvested more than 20 pounds of produce. Most recently, they planted 96 seeds of bibb lettuce, which is a fluffy variety of lettuce that is well-suited for hydroponic systems, one of the growing methods used by the group.
The Greeley Growers are an important provider to The Pantry, because most of the other vegetables provided to the Pantry are those that don’t perish, like potatoes and carrots. Fresh greens have a shorter shelf life, and they’re difficult to grow in the middle of winter. The hydroponics lab and heated greenhouse at Greeley provide an opportunity for The Pantry to receive fresh greens during the winter months. “By providing these fresh greens to the food pantry, we were able to offer food that would otherwise have been unavailable,” said Dr. Pease, noting that The Pantry was especially grateful to receive locally grown produce in the winter.
Beyond helping the community, the project also provides a hands-on learning experience for students. With guidance from the advisors, the group has been developing their skills in growing plants with hydroponics in addition to in soil.
The Greeley Growers are making a great impact. Last year, their two harvests fed over 700 families. This positive impact has been made possible through donations from the Chappaqua Schools Foundation, the PTA, and a private donor who contributed to the construction of the SRC.
In the future, Riya says she hopes to expand the project by growing tomatoes, peas, peppers, and carrots. She also aims to partner with additional food pantries in Westchester and connect with nearby schools to extend the project’s reach. “The Greeley Growers is a great way to connect with the community and help others for a bigger cause,” she said. “It is not only a fantastic educational experience for students, but also contributes to the overall good and health of our community,” added Dr. Pease.
