FREEDOM, Wis. (WFRV ) - Agricultural science has been around at Freedom High School since the 1950s; however, growing produce through hydroponics has grown in popularity over the last five years. Hydroponics is the process of growing produce through a water-based system instead of in the soil. Th e produce is grown vertically instead of horizontally and uses a water basin that sends the water and nutrients right to the plant roots. Sustainably Speaking: Wisconsin DNR updates anglers on musky restoration efforts in Green Bay Sarah Heezen is an Agricultural Science Instructor at Freedom High School and also serves as the FFA Advisor. Heezen said that over her time at the school, students have grown a variety of produce, from cherry tomatoes, snap peas, green beans and peppers, but lettuce is the most popular since it is the easiest to grow. Students will come by before and after school to work in the classroom, doing various tasks, including testing the pH of the water and packaging up the lettuce that Heezen says has become a hot commodity around the community. "A lot of the lettuce ends up getting donated to the Freedom Food Pantry, which is a food pantry we have right here in town," explained Heezen. "Some of it does end up going to our cafeteria and is either used in sandwiches, wraps or occasionally a salad bar." Heezen said that some of it goes to community members who want to get their hands on the lettuce. Any money collected from the community's purchase of the produce goes right back into the department. Heezen says it isn't a traditional agriculture replacement, but an easy way to get students interested in farming. This is also a very sustainable and easy option, as it requires very little space and limits the amount of evaporation and water leaching into the soil. Over the years, Heezen has noticed a decrease in the number of students growing up on farms and raising animals, so this acts as a great way to get students interested in a classroom setting. "This is hands-on experience for students. This allows me to take the classroom learning when we are talking about nutrients and the environment, water chemistry and now they are doing this hands-on practical experience here in this classroom," explained Heezen. One of those students who did not grow up on a farm is Sami Vostors, a Freedom High School senior. She's been growing lettuce for four years and now serves as the greenhouse manager and a business owner. "I started my business, Crispy Clean Greens, the summer after my freshman year," said Vosters. "So I sell lettuce to friends, family and community members. I own and operate it all on my own, so I keep track of finances, purchase my supplies, I reach out to customers and I run my website and Facebook page." Freedom High School sophomore Aspyn Pfefferle, like Vosters, did not grow up on a farm. Now Pfefferle is learning under Vosters and is now embarking on a newfound passion of hers. "It has greatly improved my time management skills, my public speaking skills and overall my organization," said Pfefferle. "I'm a very organized person, and this has shown me that you need to have good organization and time management to know when to germinate the seeds, when to transplant the seeds and when they become a mature plant." Sustainably Speaking: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources updates public on fisheries management Pfefferle plans to continue what Vosters started and run 'Crispy Clean Greens'. More information is on the business's website or Facebook page for those interested in purchasing some produce from Voster or to follow along. ...read more read less