Watertown Public Schools has received more than $80,000 in state grant funding to continue its farm-to-school efforts, expanding learning opportunities for Watertown’s students while also increasing local food production.

Last week, Governor Maura Healey’s office announced $1.2 million in funding to expand educational food growth and farming efforts across Massachusetts. In total, 34 public school districts and early childhood centers received funding. 

Watertown Public Schools will receive $82,946, much of which will be used to fund the district’s new Freight Farm. The converted 40-foot shipping container allows for food and crops to be grown in a controlled, self-contained environment by utilizing vertical farming techniques and a closed-loop system. The Freight Farm will be used to expand course offerings at Watertown High School beginning in January, while also increasing food production for Watertown’s school cafeterias. 

The grant will provide training and supplies for the Freight Farm, a high-tech farming teacher, and additional hours for Watertown’s school gardens coordinator.

The funding is provided by the Massachusetts FRESH CORP program. The FRESH (Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health) grant is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and is aimed at increasing local food purchasing and educational opportunities in K-12 schools and early education.

“The FRESH CORP grant allows us to implement our Freight Farm project with supplies, training, and providing funding for a Freight Farm manager and increasing our Garden Coordinator’s hours,” said Elizabeth Kaplan, K-8 Math and Science Coordinator and Watertown’s Farm-to-School Coordinator. “We are so grateful to receive this funding to support our already robust Farm to School program.” 

Currently, the Watertown Public Schools Farm-to-School program provides food for cafeterias in Watertown’s five school buildings. Additionally, students enjoy access to Watertown’s three elementary school garden spaces, where they engage in hands-on learning by growing vegetables, developing maintenance skills, and composting. 

Watertown Public Schools received the Freight Farm this past summer and began growing in October. Students are set to begin learning in the farm in January. 

In the meantime, school officials have been donating the first harvests of lettuce to the Watertown Community Fridge, a shared food resource at the Watertown Free Public Library. In short order, the farm will be producing 1,000 heads of lettuce per week.

“The Watertown Public Schools Freight Farm is officially in full bloom, and we could not be more excited to harvest our first crops of red sail and oak leaf lettuce, kale, radishes, herbs, and more, said Superintendent Dr. Dede Galdston. “This innovative program brings high-tech, sustainable agriculture directly to our students, and we look forward to launching our High-Tech Farming course at the end of January. We are especially proud that much of our early harvest will be donated to community members in need during this holiday season.”

Watertown received the second-largest sum as part of this year’s grant process, behind Salem Public Schools ($84,845).