Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is sowing the seeds of innovation by launching a new initiative that places hydroponic indoor farms in 22 K–12 school districts across its five-county region. The project, made possible through a generous grant from Cummins, a Midwest based engine manufacturer, was officially kicked off during an event Aug. 13 on Southwest Tech’s campus. Special guests included Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Randy Romanski, representatives from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), and industry partners from Cummins and Rockwell Automation.
“What we’re celebrating is not just an incredible collaborative farming installation, it’s the beginning of something truly transformational,” said Alex Tyink, founder and CEO of Fork Farms, based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. “At Fork Farms, our vision is bold, fresh food within reach for everyone, everywhere, and we’re building that in Wisconsin, that type of innovation and today, that vision comes to life right here at Southwest Tech.”
What It Entails
Each school district will receive a state-of-the-art indoor vertical farming tower from Fork Farms, valued at $5,000. The farms were funded, in part, with a grant from Cummins. Southwest Tech provided funding for the remaining farms. In addition, Rockwell Automation is supporting the project’s technological and automation components.
“Southwest Tech is proud to partner with Cummins Inc. to help ensure that equitable education systems and high-quality learning environments prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s workforce,” said Dr. Kim Maier, executive dean at Southwest Tech. “We’re grateful for Cummins’ support and partnership to further our mission of providing access to a high-quality education.”
The initiative aims to foster hands-on, work-based learning in agriculture, business, and science. Schools plan to use the farms in a variety of ways — from growing food for school cafeterias and fundraising through produce sales to using the units as interactive STEM learning labs.
The effort aligns closely with Southwest Tech’s strong agriculture programming, particularly its plant science and ag business courses. Although these hydroponic systems don’t involve soil, they offer powerful teaching opportunities around plant science, agri-business, sustainability, and food systems. The program also includes teacher training, three months of supplies, and supporting curriculum to ensure long-term success.
Moving forward, Southwest Tech plans to deepen its support for participating districts through faculty mentorship and curriculum integration. The college is also exploring ways to track long-term outcomes and further scale the initiative.
