Support From Planning to Start-up

Planning/Permitting

• Check with your building department for required building permits
• If you have a general contractor (GC), they typically handle permitting

Installation

• Prospiant-installed projects: Crew coordinates with your contractor for scheduling
• Most installations completed in six weeks once our crew is on-site
• Your GC provides the MEP (mechanical/electrical/plumbing) crews to perform wrap-up work and final inspections before start-up
• Prospiant teams are licensed, bonded, and insured

Start-up/Set-up

• Prospiant installations: Final week dedicated to start-up and commissioning
• Environmental control system training provided to your end user by Prospiant and Wadsworth

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of a school greenhouse like the Classroom Cultivator?

School greenhouses support year-round, hands-on learning in a real-world setting:

• Hands-on STEM education: Students sharpen biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and environmental science skills through experiential learning.
• Career readiness: Students explore careers in agriculture, horticulture, research, retail, and related industries while developing workforce skills.
• Responsibility and teamwork: Caring for plants teaches accountability, time management, and collaboration skills.
• Critical thinking: Students use observation, analysis, and problem-solving skills to make informed decisions and draw evidence-based conclusions.
• Technology exploration: Students gain experience with automation, sensors, environmental controls, and data-driven growing systems.
• Project-based learning: Students apply classroom concepts to real-world challenges as they grow crops, conduct experiments, and analyze results.
• Local food production: Students learn where food comes and how to produce it through plant cultivation.
• Community engagement: Partnership with local businesses, universities, agricultural/horticultural organizations, and community groups create learning and funding opportunities.
• Business and entrepreneurship: Plant sales and fundraisers teach budgeting, marketing, customer service, and supply chain concepts.
• Funding opportunities: Schools may qualify for STEM, agricultural, and horticulture grants to support greenhouse programs.
• Environmental benefits: Students increase environmental awareness as they learn about water management and sustainable growing practices.

 What do I need to equip a school greenhouse with to get started?

Every school greenhouse is different, and equipment needs will vary based on your location, budget, greenhouse type, educational goals, and growing requirements. However, the following items provide a solid foundation for most school greenhouse programs:

• Heating system: Supports year-round growing in colder climates
• Ventilation: Exhaust fans, circulation fans, intake shutters, and vent motors help regulate temperature and airflow.
• Shade system: Provides light management when needed and helps with cooling.
• Growing benches/tables: Maximize growing space, keep plants organized
• Environmental controls and sensors: Monitor and manage temperature, humidity, light levels, and other growing conditions.
• Irrigation: Hoses with watering wands, drip irrigation, or overhead watering systems
• Lighting: Supplemental grow lights in areas with limited natural light
• Weather station (optional): Allows students to compare indoor and outdoor conditions
• Basic hand tools: trowels, pruners, scoops, measuring tools
• Seed-starting supplies: seed trays, growing media, labels, spray bottles, seeds, etc. for plant propagation and production

Are grants or funding available for school greenhouses such as the Classroom Cultivator?

Securing funding for a school greenhouse can be challenging, but a variety of grants, partnerships, and fundraising opportunities are available. Here are some ideas and resources to explore:

• USDA Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program
• Farm to School Canada Grants
• Crowdfunding
• Local partnerships
• Buy-a-Pane campaigns
• Restaurant collaboration
• Alumni and civic groups

For more detailed information on each of these items, check out “Greenhouse Grants for Schools: How to Fund Your School Greenhouse”.