Fish And Fresh Greens At The Farmory in Green Bay
Fish And Fresh Greens At The Farmory in Green Bay
By: Kris Schuller
Posted: Mar 02, 2017 07:04 PM CST
Updated: Mar 02, 2017 10:18 PM CST
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) - An old armory turned into the Farmory continues to move forward in Green Bay. We head inside this indoor farm that one day may provide the perch for your favorite fish fry.
Inside an old armory now called the Farmory - fish swim and greens grow. A collaboration of many aimed at creating this indoor farming system, to eventually help people learn how to help themselves.
“We want to transform the local food economy and show there is an opportunity for Wisconsin residents to grown year-round either in their homes or businesses for themselves.” said Alex Smith, director of the Farmory.
In operation for a year, part of NeighborWorks Green Bay, this non-profit indoor aquaponics farm grows yellow perch in tanks and leafy greens in potted soil.
“It's a symbiotic relationship between the two,” said Jimmy Pandl, a member of the board Farmory. “The fish waste feeds the plants; the plants need the water and it's recirculated to help the fish grow.”
Farmory Director Smith says the goal is to have 50 aquaponic systems in operation by the fall and to grow 173,000 pounds of mixed salad greens each year. In fact, it is a crop that is already bringing in cash.
“February 1st, we actually sold our first batch of mixed greens to The Cannery and they’ve been using them ever since,” said Smith.
As for the perch Pandl expects they'll bring 50,000 fish per year to market.
“We want to do perch because of the history in the community here and because of the demand really - we know we can sell it,” said Pandl.
“People love yellow perch, it's the Wisconsin fish for any fish fry,” said Smith.
But to operate at capacity as an indoor agriculture center the Farmory needs to raise $3.4 million. Smith says those efforts are underway and the goal will be met. She believes the community sees the Farmory's value and the area's need.
“The Farmory is really here for a long-term solution to the food insecurity in this community,” Smith said.