Tuluksak

Tuluksak School has a new hydroponic tower, and it's already planted with tomato and onion starter pods, the school's food service coordinator, LuAnn Miller, wrote in the state education department's November school meals bulletin.

Green onions and basil started in a smaller unit are thriving, Miller wrote, and will move into the main tower in the coming days. The school expects a harvest soon.

"Our students have been highly engaged, enjoying the opportunity to observe the progress of this project first-hand," she wrote.

A federal Patrick Leahy Farm to School grant paid for it. The Yupiit School District, based in Akiachak, won $219,107 for the project this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The district calls it Elitnaurat natlugniritut naunranek nertuameng, or "students growing strong eating plants/vegetables."