POTSDAM – An educational workshop on developing vertical hydroponic gardens at SUNY Potsdam’s new WISER Greenhouse will be held Monday, Sept. 18.

The session will be lead by two leading industry professionals at SUNY Potsdam's Wagner Institute for Sustainability and Ecological Research.

Educator Stephen Ritz, developer of the Green Bronx Machine at Community School 55, and Duane McCarthy of LDC Enterprises will oversee the installation of five tower gardens in the WISER Greenhouse Monday and lead a workshop on vertical hydroponics from 9:30-11:50 a.m. in Stowell Hall Room 205.

Tower Gardens are vertical aeroponic growing systems that use only water and nutrients, rather than dirt, to grow vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers. The systems are able to grow plants indoors, in triple the speed and also produce greater yields, compared to traditional gardening, while also utilizing less water and taking up less space.

SUNY Potsdam's new WISER Greenhouse will take advantage of this technology to enhance its hands-on learning opportunities and to add to the locally-sources produce that is used on campus by PACES Dining Services.

Immediately following the workshop, at noon Ritz will present a talk, named after his autobiographical book, "The Power of a Plant: A Teacher's Odyssey to Grow Healthy Minds and Schools." The talk will also be offered in the WISER Center. This session is a late addition to the Biology Seminar Series.

These events are both free, and the public is invited to attend.

To learn more about the WISER Center, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/AAS/biology/wiser.