By Amanda Quam

West Central Initiative

The Boys & Girls Club of Detroit Lakes, Inc., now has an outdoor classroom, a hydroponic farm, and endless opportunities for plants and youth to grow year-round.

The Hydroponic Farm 

A boy smiles and point to a green plant in the hydroponic garden

The hydroponic farm education program is a unique program that not only offers educational opportunities for the Boys & Girls Club members but also provides access to tasty, nutritious food. Youth have the chance to learn hands-on as they watch their produce grow from seed to harvest.  

“Here at the Boys & Girls Club of Detroit Lakes, our students learn about the importance of growing their own food,” said Boys & Girls Club Recreation Coordinator Ethan Mattson. “They get to plant the seeds and go through every step of the process until they harvest and eat the produce. Through the entire process, they learn how to balance pH, nutrients, maintain climate, view, and measure the growth of the plants. They also have input on improvements at the farm, types of plants that we try next, and ideas to make learning even more fun.” 

Best of all, some of the harvested produce is incorporated into meals served at the Boys & Girls Club. What a fun way to learn and reduce your carbon footprint by eating locally grown food.

The program serves youth ages 3–18. The youngest gardeners learn the basics of healthy food, and enjoy pretending to cook. The older youth have the chance to experiment and test innovative gardening methods. For example, this summer they grew some plants in water and others in soil. They measured and compared their plants, growth time, and yields. The youth have also tried planting a variety of produce to see what’s possible. They have tried growing cantaloupe and even eggplant. When young people learn to grow their own food, they develop a deeper appreciation for where their food comes from.    

These young gardeners are growing a lot of food. The biggest and newest hydroponic green wall can yield between 100 and 125 pounds of produce per harvest, while the smaller towers typically produce between 25 and 30 pounds per harvest. The youth stay engaged, as a growing period for lettuces, other leafy greens, and herbs is only about one month long.  

Those who visit MANNA Food Co-op, can see two of the Boys & Girls Club hydroponic setups on display for community engagement and education. Eventually, the club plans to sell excess produce at the co-op.  

The first year of this project was funded by a grant from West Central Initiative, as well as grants and donations from other community organizations and individuals.  

Outdoor Pollinator and Environmental Science Classroom 

The outdoor pollinator and environmental science classroom is a shining example of a youth-led initiative and a story of community collaboration. The project was led by local Eagle Scout Peyton Malecka from Troop 674, with support from his Scoutmaster, Lance Akers, the Izaak Walton League Prairie Woods Chapter, and the Boys & Girls Club of Detroit Lakes. The project was also supported by in-kind donations and volunteer time from the Detroit Lakes Public Service Department, the Detroit Lakes Parks Department, Nature’s Design Landscaping, community volunteers, and grants from West Central Initiative and other local organizations.  

“We all worked together to bring the vision of an outdoor environmental classroom to life,” Peyton said. “Making this project what it is took the work of dozens of people, and without the support from the community of Detroit Lakes, we couldn’t have completed this project.” 

The garden will cultivate a new generation of land stewards and outdoor enthusiasts with the potential to make a lasting impact in the community.  

This outdoor classroom will serve not only as a learning space for young people but also as a habitat for pollinators, with over 1,000 native plants. And pollinators are important. According to the USDA, three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about 35 percent of the world’s crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce. That accounts for about one out of every three bites you eat.  

Representatives from various organizations and community members gathered to celebrate the project’s completion at a ribbon cutting event. This project contributed to Scouting America’s Distinguished Conservation Service Award, one of the most prestigious honors in scouting. Since 1910, only about 1,500 scouts have earned this award.  

“Projects like Peyton’s are only made possible through the support of strong communities,” said Lance Akers, Scout Master for Scouting America Troop 674. “The youth of Scouting America Troop 674 have been blessed with many willing local and state organizations who see the value of not only creating creative outdoor learning spaces like his, but also understand the true value of encouraging young men and women to develop leadership skills, dream big, and make an impact on their communities. Because of this young man’s hard work and dedication to serving children, adults, and pollinators, each will see a lasting benefit.” 

Continuing to Learn, Grow, and Connect 

The Boys & Girls Club members are fortunate to have access to green spaces throughout the year. Youth will enjoy their new outdoor classroom during the warmer months and continue to grow produce at the indoor hydroponic farm in the colder months. Together, these projects show how community partnerships and hands-on learning can empower young people to grow healthy food, care for the environment, and cultivate skills that will benefit them—and the Detroit Lakes community—for years to come.

About West 

Central Initiative

Amanda Quam is West Central Initiative’s Grants Officer. She helps unite ideas and resources to support projects that promote environmental sustainability, social change, civic engagement, and community well-being in our region.

West Central Initiative is a place-based nonprofit, community foundation, and regional development organization dedicated to fostering a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable future for White Earth Nation and Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin Counties. Since its founding in 1986, West Central Initiative has provided funding, technical assistance, planning resources, and philanthropic services to strengthen the economic and social fabric of the region. 

The organization has provided more than $62 million in loans and approximately $93 million in grants to businesses and organizations. Learn more at www.wcif.org.