Posted on 2025-11-20 22:46:03.262 +0000 UTC
High Prairie School Division (HPSD) is proud to announce the official launch of its new vertical farm, 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠, with the first harvest taking place this week. The project marks an exciting milestone for the Division, introducing an innovative, technology-driven approach to agriculture that will directly benefit students, schools, and the wider community. 🌱
EW Pratt High School students enrolled in 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 and 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 will take an active role in the operation, assisting with planting, maintaining, and harvesting crops throughout the year. In addition to production, students will gain experience in marketing and preparing produce for sale, providing valuable insight into the full farm-to-market process. This direct involvement provides students with meaningful, real-world experience in controlled environment agriculture, sustainable food production, and emerging agri-technology.
The farm’s initial crops will be 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐞 and 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐟 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐞. All produce grown by Always Growing is cultivated without chemicals or pesticides, ensuring clean, safe, high-quality greens for students and the community. Always Growing is expected to produce approximately 𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤.
Always Growing lettuce will be provided to the Division’s four school salad bars as well as sold to local wholesale markets and community partners.
In keeping with HPSD’s commitment to community support, the vertical farm will donate 𝟓𝟎 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 to the High Prairie & District Food Bank Society and 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐞 & 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥, helping increase access to fresh, healthy produce. 
This project would not have been possible without the support of key local partners and businesses. 𝐇𝐏𝐒𝐃 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 for making this venture possible for our students:
• Buchanan Family Foundation
• Bob Buchan
• Rod and Danielle Marx
HPSD also extends a special 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤-𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐜𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐝, 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬, whose vision, leadership, and dedication brought this project from concept to reality.
With its first harvest happening today, Always Growing represents an exciting step forward for student learning, local food production, and community collaboration across the region.
