Dozens gathered at Lawrence and DeTonty in the Shaw neighborhood of south St. Louis Thursday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Green House Venture's new state-of-the-art building that will provide lessons in urban agriculture, bioscience, nutrition and dietetics.
It's the final piece of the puzzle for a program already underway for students at Mullanphy Investigative Center, St. Margaret of Scotland, Center Cross Academy and Lafayette Preparatory Academy (public, parochial, private and charter).
The programming and the new, 9,500-square foot building are privately funded.
"For a city that has seen population loss, we have to think about that every choice matters," said Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez. "And today we are choosing growth, renewal and our children."
The Green House Venture's mission: to educate, excite, and equip an inclusive population of elementary students to pursue a sustainable world through a hands-on program in bio-science and urban agriculture.
"We are introducing a whole generation to urban farming," said Mike Gregory, chancellor at Center Cross Academy, formerly Tower Grove Christian Academy. "This powerful partnership is reshaping the educational journey of our students."