Marshfield Rotary stepped into the future of local agriculture last week by volunteering at the Marshfield hydroponic garden, located on the UWSP-Marshfield campus. Rotarians worked side-by-side with Nick Varner of Fork Farms and AmeriCorps staff member Dan Mechenich to harvest two different varieties of lettuce and three types of herbs. Beyond the harvest, volunteers received hands-on experience maintaining the indoor agricultural system by cleaning the equipment and replanting a brand-new crop for the next cycle. Our members thoroughly enjoyed learning about the cutting-edge hydroponic technology from Nick and Dan while actively rolling up their sleeves and helping out at the campus garden.
This service project directly supports the health and well-being of our community members during times of recovery and care. The entire harvest of freshly picked lettuce and herbs was delivered straight to the Marshfield Clinic cafeteria. There, the nutrient-dense greens were used in the salad bar and to prepare healthy, nourishing meals for both patients and the hardworking medical staff. Marshfield Rotary was incredibly proud to partner with UWSP-Marshfield, Fork Farms, and the Marshfield Clinic to strengthen our local food system and provide fresh nourishment where it is needed most.