Hydroponics Are a Big Hit at The Detroit Lakes Boys and Girls Club
Hydroponics program teaches youth sustainable agriculture while supplying fresh produce to the Detroit Lakes community.
The Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes operates a hydroponic farm inside a facility on Randolph Road in Detroit Lakes.
Contributed / Detroit Lakes Boys and Girls Club
By Vicki Gerdes
August 06, 2026
DETROIT LAKES — What began as a singular machine in 2021 has blossomed into a state-of-the-art hydroponics hub operated by the Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes.
The club has established an indoor farming center, teaching local youth the science of sustainable agriculture while providing fresh produce to the community.
Ethan Mattson, recreation coordinator and program manager of hydroponics, talks about their partnership with Manna Food Co-op on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Detroit Lakes.
Michael Johnson / Agweek
The expansion was powered by both federal and local investment: A $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program in 2024 provided the foundation, allowing the club to acquire eight round flex farms (in addition to the one they already had), a flex acre, and a dedicated germination station to flesh out its hydroponics facility on Randolph Road.
The club also partnered with Manna Food Co-op on the project, allowing them to market some of their produce at Manna's new storeon Washington Avenue.
A $5,200 seed grant from the University of Minnesota’s Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTS) Central Region earlier this summer enabled the club to upgrade the Randolph Road facility's lighting.
This flex acre hydronic growing system was among several items purchased by the Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes through a USDA Farm to Table grant they received in 2024.
Contributed / Detroit Lakes Boys and Girls Club
"It's a lot brighter, and way more energy efficient," said Ethan Mattson, the club's recreation coordinator, who also manages their hydroponics program.
This ultimately allows them to save money on utility costs, which form the bulk of their monthly expenses.
"All of our machines use electricity, and a lot of water," he added, explaining that hydroponics systems are water-based, and use no soil.
Each flex farm system holds eight towers for housing growing units. The towers can be pulled in tightly around the LED lights at the center, which are specially designed for growing indoor plants. Water is funneled to the plants through the towers.
Mattson said that the hydroponics program is about more than just technology; it is about education. He explained that approximately 125 children per week participate in a 12-week curriculum that guides them through every stage of the growing process.
Detroit Lakes Boys & Girls Club members Lydia and Harlem show off the lettuce plants they harvested from the club's new hydroponic garden back in 2021. The project has expanded significantly in the years since that first harvest.
Contributed / Detroit Lakes Boys and Girls Club
Students learn to manage planting, transplanting, and harvesting, while taking weekly measurements of leaf size and vine growth to track the produce’s development.
"They've got to learn about all of the different types of machines that we have here — how they work, the different growing stages," Mattson said. "They've got to take measurements to see, from one week to the next, how they're growing."
Of course, there is some taste testing involved as well, he added with a smile.
The program creates a unique comparison for students, who work with the indoor hydroponics systems alongside four outdoor soil planters. This contrast helps the club's young members understand the pros and cons of different farming methods, sparking conversations about environmental impact and food systems.
"When this thing is fully going, it’s pretty amazing," said Mattson, adding that the harvest is a highlight for the participants, with peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and strawberries consistently ranking among the favorites.
Some of the produce recently harvested from the Detroit Lakes Boys and Girls Club's hydroponic gardens.
Contributed / Detroit Lakes Boys and Girls Club
Lettuce, however, is still their most prolific crop. "We've grown over a dozen different varieties of lettuce," Mattson said. "We've done cucumbers, peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, a variety of different herbs — multiple kinds of basil, dill, thyme. We've done mini eggplants and mini watermelons and mini cantaloupes and things like that."
Beyond education, the club is moving toward a sustainable economic model, designed to reduce dependency on grants. The facility has begun partnering with local food businesses, including Manna, to supply fresh, chemical-free produce.
Executive Director Pat Petermann said the hope is to expand these partnerships to include local restaurants and food trucks as well, positioning the club as a reliable source of high-quality, locally grown greens and herbs.
In addition to agricultural revenue, he said, the club has established a secondary stream through equipment rentals. Community members and event planners can rent tables and chairs for weddings, graduation parties, and other local gatherings. These funds are reinvested back into the club’s programming, ensuring the long-term viability of the hydroponics initiative.
Detroit Lakes Boys & Girls Club member Alex was given a helping hand by Ethan Mattson, the club's recreation director, as he attempted to harvest his lettuce plant from the club's new hydroponic garden in 2021.
Contributed / Detroit Lakes Boys and Girls Club
Petermann said that the club maintains an open-door policy, welcoming community tours for anyone interested in seeing the hydroponic facilities firsthand. While the project has seen significant growth in the past couple of years, he said they view these successes as "just the beginning."
The goal remains to foster an environment where local youth learn to become stewards of their community through hands-on engagement with food production.
For those interested in partnering with the hydroponics program or scheduling a tour, contact the Boys and Girls Club of Detroit Lakes at 218-847-5700. For direct inquiries regarding the project, contact Mattson at 763-412-5871.
Ethan Mattson removes a panel on one of the "Flex Farm" setups in the new Randolph Road location on Dec. 1, 2024.
Abby Fostveit / Detroit Lakes Tribune
By Vicki Gerdes
A reporter at Detroit Lakes Newspapers since relocating to the community in October 2000, Vicki was promoted to Community News Lead for the Detroit Lakes Tribune and Perham Focus on Jan. 1, 2022. She has covered pretty much every "beat" that a reporter can be assigned, from county board and city council to entertainment, crime and even sports. Born and raised in Madelia, Minnesota, she is a graduate of Hamline University, from which she earned a bachelor's degree in English literature (writing concentration). You can reach her at 218-844-1454 or vgerdes@dlnewspapers.com.