VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A new program at an elementary school in Vigo County is teaching children how to grow food in a unique way.

Benjamin Franklin Elementary School introduced an aquaponics program for its third-grade classes. The six-week program is being taught by an educator from Colorado and involves creating aquariums that will be inhabited by fish.

The fish help to make a suitable and sustainable environment for vegetables to be planted and grown. The classes will start with peas first, and by the end of the program, have enough vegetables grown to create salads for the students and their families to enjoy.

“They can do this right at their own home so eventually they can create their own kits or get creative and we’re always looking for resources in the community anyway to enrich lives and this is a good way to do so,” said Justin Allen, 3rd-grade teacher.

The program is being funded by a Health Issues and Challenges grant from the Indiana Department of Health.