CIFT News


An Urban Agriculture Opportunity Unveiled:
Promedica Announces First Harvest at its Vertical Hydroponics Garden


Harvested produce and dishes prepared with produce harvested from the vertical hydroponic garden at Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio


On June 30, 2008, representatives of ProMedica Health System (PHS), displayed the fruits of their harvest from the area's first vertical hydroponic garden. The garden, installed at Flower Hospital in Sylvania, Ohio, is a collaborative effort between CIFT and ProMedica designed to increase good nutrition awareness while showcasing non-traditional methods of food production particularly suited for urban settings.

The high density, vertical hydroponic growing system, manufactured by Verti-Gro and supplied by Earthsafe Ozone of Lima, Ohio, was installed on Flower Hospital grounds in early June. This system enables plants to be grown in non-traditional environments without the use of soil. This, along with the vertical plant arrangement, significantly reduces the plot footprint and can be constructed on anything from patios to parking lots. The pots can be installed outside as a garden or inside a greenhouse or hoophouse for an extended growing season. In urban settings, vacant lots or unused parking lots are prime locations where food can be grown to support the local community.


Promedica's Barb Petee discussing Flower Hospital's experiences with vertical hydroponic gardening


Ohio Ninth District Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, along with CIFT representatives, assisted in unveiling the garden. The vertical hydroponic growing system at Flower Hospital includes 96 pots with more than 2,000 vegetable plants including several varieties of lettuce, greens, green onions, tomatoes, broccoli and beans. The pots are mounted on poles and filled with a ground coconut shell potting medium that is designed to hold moisture and maintain the root base. Water and nutrients are pumped to row headers and distributed to the pots via drip tubes. Within 3 weeks of construction and planting, lettuce was harvested.


CIFT President David Beck and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur discussing vertical hydroponics gardening with Earthsafe Ozone representative Jerry Dicus


The harvested vegetables are used in the hospital’s cafeteria and donated to Sylvania Area Family Services.

"We are pleased to participate in this innovative program to help raise community awareness about easy and economical ways to eat healthier," said Barb Petee, Vice President, PHS Advocacy and Government Relations.

In addition to providing produce,, the garden will be used for educational tours and nutrition classes offered by ProMedica Health System. It is the first of several community health programs that will be introduced over the next year as part of a new system-wide initiative called Fields of Green. The program will help combat obesity and encourage healthier eating.

Emphasizing the potential for growing vegetables quickly and efficiently within an urban environment, Rebecca Singer, CIFT Associate Program Director, commented, "We envision incorporating systems such as this throughout the city in parking lots enabling fresh produce to be available to the immediate communities".

Please view the event video...

Video CameraPromedica Announces First Harvest at its Vertical Hydroponics Garden - Remarks by Ohio 9th District Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Barb Petee, and Rebecca Singer. (13 minutes)



For more information on this event and vertical hydroponic gardening:

For more information about the Promedica's Fields of Green initiative:

Please contact Stephanie Cihon, PHS Community Relations Manager, at 419-469-3896.



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