Green Our Planet, a nonprofit provider of school garden and hydroponics STEM programs, has formed a national partnership with Fork Farms, a Wisconsin-based impact-tech company focused on indoor agriculture.
Together, the two organizations say they will expand access to hydroponic laboratories and hands-on STEM learning for students across the U.S., further igniting curiosity, creativity and a lifelong connection to science and sustainability.
“Students aren’t just learning how to grow plants; they’re learning engineering, biology, nutrition, climate science and entrepreneurship all at once,” says Ciara Byrne, co-founder and CEO of Green Our Planet. “By partnering with Fork Farms, Green Our Planet is helping schools build living laboratories that prepare students for the careers and challenges of tomorrow.”
The collaboration with Fork Farms combines Green Our Planet’s award-winning STEM training with Fork Farms’ hydroponic technology, enabling schools everywhere to turn classrooms into living science labs where students can grow plants, design experiments and explore the future of sustainable agriculture.
The partnership is grounded in Green Our Planet’s mission to teach people to plant and nurture gardens to ignite the human spirit and transform the world, the company says.
“This partnership allows us to scale our impact and empower the next generation of scientists, conservationists, chefs, farmers and entrepreneurs,” Byrne says. “Fork Farms’ hydroponic systems transform any classroom into a dynamic lab where students can explore biology, sustainability, engineering, nutrition and innovation, all while discovering their own potential.”
With more than 4,000 hydroponic units already deployed by Fork Farms and with Green Our Planet programs active in 2,350 schools across 44 states and five countries, the partnership unlocks new opportunities to scale hands-on STEM education for millions of young people, the companies say.
“Hydroponics is transforming how the next generation understands food, science and sustainability. Together with Fork Farms, we’re empowering students to grow their own food and imagine new solutions for the future of agriculture,” Byrne says.
Turnkey Model for Hands-On Learning
The joint initiative aims to offer schools a complete, ready-to-launch STEM ecosystem, including:
- Fork Farms Hydroponic systems for classrooms, cafeterias and community spaces.
- More than 500 Next Generation Science Standards-aligned STEM, sustainability, entrepreneurship and nutrition lessons.
- Teacher training, coaching and on-demand support.
- Opportunities for students to participate in on-campus farmers markets and real-world entrepreneurial learning.
- Access to Green Our Planet’s Magic Garden Portal and digital learning videos.
“Green Our Planet’s curricula and teacher training beautifully complements our technology,” says Alex Tyink, founder anf CEO of Fork Farms. “Together, we are giving schools a pathway to build future-ready learning environments, where scientific exploration, sustainable thinking and creativity thrive side by side.”
Proven Impact
Independent research shows that hydroponics programs deliver measurable gains in learning, engagement and student well-being, according to a news release, which added that after just one year, an independent impact study found that students experienced significant improvements in these areas, including:
- 93% of students show increased academic achievement in STEM.
- 81% report higher engagement in STEM learning.
- 79% increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables.
For more information on the partnership, visit the Fork Farms website.
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