The Menominee Indian High School Greenhouse & Aquaponics Center was recently completed and is offering students a unique educational experience. Now, the public is invited to see what it’s all about at two Public Open Houses, Thursday, May 23 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 25 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“We encourage the public to come and tour the Center and see what an outstanding facility it is and how it will enhance student learning,” stated Klint Hischke, MIHS Science teacher. “Students will be learning about, and growing, a wide variety of plants and vegetables as well as raising fish in the Center. Much of the final product will be used within MISD schools, but future plans call for possibly selling products to the public. We are so excited about the possibilities.”
Menominee Indian School District (MISD) Business Manager Robert Ferguson offered the District’s thanks to Menominee Tribal Clinic for a $25,000 donation which was used to purchase interior Greenhouse and Aquaponics products. “They are a great partner of the school district and once again stepped forward with a donation which will help our students learn about traditional gardening, plants, vegetables and more,” Ferguson said.
The Center, located next to the High School is a little more than 35’ wide by 90’ long; built to withstand 100 mph winds and 30 lbs. of ground snow load. It was constructed by V3 Construction (Kenny Verbeek, owner). Other vendors included:
Conley’s Manufacturing
Nelson & Pade
Radtke Electric
Zeitler
Eric’s Septic
Shawano Well & Drilling
Fence Master
SES HVAC
Baycom
MISD Superintendent Wendell Waukau thanked the MISD Board of Education for its support of the project. “They saw the need and the advantages of doing a project like this. They are great advocates for our students’ education,” he said.
Also playing important roles in the Center:
Jerry Chapman – Buildings and Grounds Manager
Klint Hischke – MIHS Science teacher
Robert Ferguson – Business Manager
Jim Lucht – MIHS Maintenance
Kyla Jones – MISD Technology Director
“We encourage everyone to come out and see what the Center is all about,” added Waukau.“You’ll see the pride our students and staff have in the Center and learn how it will expand our educational offerings.”
