An agricultural, student-based business at Center Elementary in Plum proved fruitful in knowledge and fun.

Teacher J.R. Pilyih guided 45 fourth-graders in their farming and economic journey this school year.

Pilyih first introduced the business to the district last year as a first-grade teacher at the now-closed Regency Park Elementary. It was run by fifth- and sixth-graders.

“It’s way bigger than, ‘Here’s a plant,’” he said. “I didn’t know how fourth-graders would handle all of the different aspects: the worms, fish, the plants, towers, cutting and squeezing all that in.

“The kids really used their leadership skills to just go with it. They decided which direction we’re going to go.”

Students learned about several systems to grow crops. They grew basil with an aquaponics system, which uses water and fish waste to supply nutrients to plants instead of soil.

They made lettuce and some kale using a grow tower and its hydroponic system. It is similar to aquaponics except instead of fish it uses chemicals to enhance water for vegetation.

Students divided into teams and were responsible for different aspects of the operation. Kate Litzinger and Kira Tajc lead the vermicomposting division. It involves feeding red wiggler worms vegetable and food waste.

“It’s really fun, weird and squishy,” Kira said. “They help make new soil for growing plants.”

The soil will be used in an outdoor garden at the school.

Connor Reilly managed the grow tower. They harvested romaine lettuce and other plants. They produced about two pounds of lettuce every three weeks. They even gave some to the cafeteria.

“You put minerals in water, and the water goes all the way up and comes down,” Conner explained. “We also made rainbow chara and gave it to a teacher. You have to check the pH (acidity) every couple weeks. We need light so stuff can grow.”

Morgan Canady and Julianna Devine were among several students working with aquaponics.

“It’s really cool to (grow) plants with no soil,” Julianna said.

They named a tilapia fish “Jaws” after it ate about 40 goldfish.

Students also learned about money management, marketing and product development. They created a logo and came up with the slogan, “Worms We Use, Plants We Grow.”

They even made a commercial for their business, which sold metal water bottles and reusable bags.

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