HILLIARD, Fla. — Students at Hilliard Middle-Senior High School are diving into the future through the school’s courses in Aquaculture II, III, and IV, which teach the science and business of aquaponics. This innovative Career and Technical Education (CTE) program gives students real-world experience in food production while preparing them for college and career opportunities in agriculture, environmental science, and beyond.
Currently, the program maintains an estimated 1,000 tilapia, which are expected to grow to between five and eight pounds by the end of the year. At harvest, students will have cultivated between 5,000 and 8,000 pounds of fish.
On the plant side, students are tending to about 600 heads of lettuce and greens in various stages of growth, including Romaine, Bok Choy, Black Seed Simpson, Swiss Chard, Buttercrunch, Bibb, Grand Rapids TBR, Red Romaine, Waldmann's Green, and Cimmaron. The program also incorporates a fruit orchard with Rambutan (Dragon Fruit), Mango, Papaya, and Plum, all from seed, as well as raised garden beds producing Great Lakes Lettuce, Georgia Collards, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Pumpkins, Tomatoes, Blue and Purple Curly Kale, and winter squash.
The aquaponics process is fully sustainable and chemical-free. Fish waste is gravity-fed into a biofilter, where microscopic bacteria convert ammonia and nitrogen into nitrites and nitrates. This natural process creates a nutrient-rich solution for the plants, which are grown in recirculating systems using S-trays and NFT trays. Seeds are started in the classroom, transplanted into the aquaponics system, and remain there for six to eight weeks until harvest. Pest management relies solely on natural methods such as neem oil and cayenne pepper powder, with no artificial nutrients, insecticides, or pesticides used.
The aquaculture program is just one example of the many CTE opportunities available to Nassau County School District students. These programs provide students with the opportunity to explore career pathways, acquire industry-relevant skills, and prepare for future success.
Parents and students are encouraged to contact their school counselors to learn more about how to participate in CTE courses.