YONKERS, NY--(Marketwire - Aug 9, 2012) - Kids are rolling on the river -- the Hudson River -- courtesy of Con Edison's support for The Science Barge.

Thousands of youngsters are getting lessons in agriculture and renewable energy on the floating urban farm. Check it out in this video: [ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHyRXijlpKI ]

Learn more about The Science Barge at [ http://www.groundworkhv.org/programs/environmental-education/science-barge/ ].

The Barge, docked just north of the Yonkers Pier, grows fresh produce, including tomatoes, melons, greens and lettuce, with no net carbon emissions, pesticides or water runoff. Solar panels, wind turbines and biofuels produce the energy to power the buoyant classroom.

Con Edison is a corporate sponsor and recently provided $15,000 to Groundwork Hudson Valley ([ http://www.groundworkhv.org/ ]), which runs the Barge.

"Anyone who visits the Science Barge will be fascinated to see how we can produce food and energy in such a clean, sustainable way, and the setting on the river is gorgeous," said Frances A. Resheske, Con Edison's senior vice president of Public Affairs. "Con Edison is proud to support this wonderful educational and environmental program."

The Barge's greenhouse uses a system called hydroponics, meaning that the plants get their nutrients through the water, not soil. This is important, since arable soil is often unavailable in cities. Since the plants do not need extensive root systems as they would in soil, they do not need as much space.

The greenhouse is irrigated by rainwater and purified river water.

Groundwork Hudson Valley, a nonprofit that is dedicated to environmental education and neighborhood improvement, acquired the Science Barge from NY Sun Works, which developed the Barge, in 2007.

Groundwork donates the food grown on the Barge to a local food pantry.

The Science Barge is open for weekday educational programs and field trips for schools, camps, and other groups through early November. Programs range from one to three hours and cost $125 to $400. Anyone interested in booking can call 914-375-2151 or e-mail [ sciencebarge@groundworkhv.org. ]

For weekend walk-ons, there is a $3 suggested donation. Children 10 years old and younger get on for free.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE: [ ED ]), one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $13 billion in annual revenues and $40 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than 3 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New York. 

Con Edison supports hundreds of nonprofit organizations in New York City and Westchester County to strengthen neighborhoods, sustain communities and improve lives. These philanthropic efforts support the arts, environment, and important educational initiatives in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Many of Con Edison's 14,000 employees share a personal commitment to the region's vitality through their own volunteer efforts and also choose to support education by utilizing the company's matching gifts program.