Urban Horticulture and Agribusiness Program Awarded EPA Environmental Education Grant

The Urban Horticulture and Agribusiness program at Mesa Community College (MCC) in partnership with the Roosevelt School District and RighTrac, Inc., received a two-year, $108,000 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Education grant to establish a Center for Urban Agriculture (CUA). The Center will serve as a hub for the development and dissemination of educational programs focused on sustainable agriculture and community enhancement.

One new course to arise from this program is Aquaponics AGS166 -- the teaching of an an advanced method of aquaculture where fish provide nutrients to grow plants which in turn filter water to sustain fish.

The Roosevelt School District will be the first to benefit from the outputs of the grant. Using it’s greenhouse classroom and gardens, MCC and RighTrac Inc. will develop an aquaponics-based STEM curriculum for K-8 students and train educators and volunteers to deliver the new curriculum.

The grant also provides funds to develop a Sustainable Agriculture degree program at MCC. “We are grateful to the EPA for the infusion of funds to develop new curriculum and raise awareness of the importance of ecosystem stewardship, civic responsibility and early STEM education,” said Bob Bonura, Chair of MCC’s Applied Sciences & Technology Department.

Be on the lookout for workshops on urban farming and sustainable living which will be offered as part of this grant.