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GALESBURG, Ill. (AP) — On South Academy Street in Galesburg two unique greenhouses called "high tunnels" are used by Knox College. The first opened in April of 2014 and is used to provide produce for the Knox cafeteria. The other, which was opened in March of 2015, is smaller and is used by Peter Schwartzman, for teaching the Urban Agriculture class.
The tunnels give students a hands-on learning experience with growing food and managing pests organically. According to Deborah Steinberg, director of sustainability initiatives at Knox, the work is done by a crew of students, divided up among several students, with one serving as student farm manager. This summer, there are two students working.
The high tunnels are able to increase the growing season from February to November, and during last year's first full growing season the students were able to grow over 2,200 pounds of produce. Most of that was able to be used for the cafeteria. During this summer, the student volunteers spend two afternoons a week, doing the work to grow tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, cucumbers and a variety of other produce. Already this year, more than 1,600 pounds have been produced.
While the produce is primarily for the Knox College cafeteria, the Galesburg community still benefits, according to Knox professor Peter Schwartzman. Seedlings have been grown for local nonprofit organizations, it has given people volunteering opportunities as well as a Knox College4Kids class on Urban Agriculture.
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Source: The (Galesburg) Register-Mail, http://bit.ly/28WOH42
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Information from: The Register-Mail, http://www.register-mail.com
This is an AP-Illinois Exchange story offered by The (Galesburg) Register-Mail.
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