High school students from Oak Park and River Forest High School (OPRF) presented a program on the future of sustainable farming to the residents of the Oak Park Arms on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. The presentation on hydroponics, a method of growing crops without soil, was part of an ongoing community outreach effort by the student group.
The students are members of a group called Educating the Community about Hydroponics at OPRF (ECHOPRF). The summer program is dedicated to promoting hydroponics as a key to future farming. The program aims to address real-world concerns about local food resiliency, extreme weather events, and pollution caused by commercial agriculture.
“The residents were thrilled to learn from these bright students,” said Renee Steingard, LPN, director of leasing and resident engagement at Oak Park Arms. “It’s a beautiful example of how knowledge can be a bridge between generations, and it’s inspiring to see young people so enthusiastic about sustainability.”
Over the course of the summer, ECHOPRF students learned the science behind growing hyper-local, zero-emissions produce in their Hydroponics Lab. In addition to their presentation at the Oak Park Arms, their community engagement included conversing with patrons at local farmers markets, giving a lab tour to Oak Park Education Foundation BASE Camp youth, and donating fresh produce to the community food bank named Beyond Hunger.
The ECHOPRF program, which has been active since Summer 2023, is taught by faculty member Cindy Wong. It not only nurtures students’ scientific understanding but also their leadership skills and care for the Earth and one another.
“We were so grateful to have Ms. Wong, and her students share their knowledge with us,” said Camille Gallo, resident services coordinator at the Oak Park Arms. “Their passion for hydroponics was infectious, and we sincerely hope they’ll be able to return next summer. It was wonderful to see so many of our residents leave with their own hydroponic plants to nurture in their apartments.”
Oak Park Arms Senior Living is a rental retirement community that provides senior housing in the form of independent living. A licensed home care agency is onsite to provide support services for seniors. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month, or longer.
For more information call 708-386-4040.
