University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
IN-2: Innovation 2

A vertical gardening system has been installed inside of the banquet style dining hall on campus. The gardens are an easy way to grow fruits and vegetables right in the same building that it will be consumed in. Liquid plant nutrients are pumped through the tower and over the plant roots for rapid growth. This allows for fresh, local greens all year round. A student internship has been created just for the purpose of maintaining, and harvesting these tower gardens. The initial outlay for the complete system was $3,015

The program goals were to provide a means of growing produce that could be used in the All You Care To Eat dining operation on the UW Oshkosh campus. •Our incoming Freshmen are not on board with sustainability and this would put something sustainable right in front of them where they could not miss it •Fresh greens being grown right next to the salad bar where they would be offered fit both locally grown as well as being better than organic, as no soil is used in growing the plants. •It was to provide opportunity for student involvement up to and including an internship for the student in charge of the Tower Gardens, from planting, cleaning, maintaining chemical balances in the water, and harvesting the lettuces routinely. •The Tower Gardens would provide growing plants and bright lights during a time of year when daylight on campus is minimal. My hope is that they will help students feel a bit more cheerful during the dark months. •The program is capable of expansion based on student input, participation, and funding. •Provide a program with minimal environmental impact • No shipping, • minimal water use versus conventionally grown product