Kaukauna teacher Nick Mees was recently named the winner of a EdRack Hydroponic System valued at $5,000. Mees is the 7th and 8th Grade Science Teacher at Riverview Middle School.
This giveaway was a partnership between Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) and RAYN Growing Systems. The giveaway was part of the celebration of National Agriculture Day on March 24. Along with the system, Mr. Mees will also receive professional training to bring the system to life in his classroom.
“We are very excited about this new tool for our classroom,” said Nick Mees. “Thank you to Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom and RAYN Growing Systems for this opportunity. Our students have already planted lettuce and basil with it, and we have a lot of ideas for how we can use it going forward.”
The EdRack system gives students hands-on experience growing plants in a controlled environment. In turn, offering a real-world look at plant science, sustainability and modern food production. From seed to harvest, students will explore how agriculture and technology intersect while building skills in science, math, and problem-solving.
“This giveaway is about more than a piece of equipment—it’s about creating opportunities for students to experience agriculture in a meaningful, hands-on way,” said AITC Program Coordinator Beth Schaefer, . “We are proud of our partnership with RAYN Growing Systems to support educators and inspire the next generation to see the possibilities within agriculture.”
The giveaway drew entries from teachers across the state, all eager to expand agricultural learning opportunities in their classrooms. With the addition of the EdRack system, this year’s winning classroom will serve as a model for how innovative tools can deepen student engagement and understanding of where their food comes from.
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