Welcome to iGrow News, Your Source for the World of Indoor Vertical Farming
Future of Food Is Fishy
Darren Handschuh - March 29, 2019
It's a marriage made in heaven.
One that produces food faster and uses far fewer resources than traditional growing methods – and it is happening right here in the Okanagan.
With the right equipment, aquaponics can be done just about anywhere.
“Aquaponics is the perfect marriage of hydroponics and aquaculture,” says Jeff Smith with the Aquaponics Training Institute in Vernon. “Aquaculture is the raising of aquatic species in a closed system, and hydroponics is a soilless growing of plants within a closed system.”
Put the two together, and you get a method of producing food that leaves almost no environmental footprint.
Smith will be hosting information sessions and workshops to teach people how to set up their own systems.
Information sessions will be held this Saturday, from 9 a.m. until noon, and then again on April 6.
From there, people can sign up for workshops on how to build their own system.
“That's a full hands on, face-to-face workshop here in our facility, so they will get to learn all about aquaponics,” said ATI's Barbara Bonnough.
“The workshops are geared toward people who want to run their own facility in their own home, up to someone who might want to do it in an outdoor greenhouse and set up an aquaponics facility that would feed a community.”
More information can be found at the Aquaponics Training Institute website.
Simple DIY Aquaponic System For Home
Aquaponics is the art of growing plants in a system where fish and plants co-exist.
Aquaponics is the art of growing plants in a system where fish and plants co-exist.
Mother nature has been doing this for as long as plants and fish have existed, humanshave been doing this since the beginning of farming and cultivation, but only recently has it been brought back into the light with hydroponics. Gaining in popularity, this technique has been proven to have many benefits for crops while being very eco-friendly.
So why should you add aquaponics to your hydroponic garden? Fish and plants have been working together for a very long time, their practically soul mates. Bacteria from plants breaks down the fish waste and feed, then converts it into plant food and nutrient. Organic matter contained in fish feces and feed are also used for the conversion of fish generated ammonia to nitrate.
The plants consuming the dissolved waste nutrients filter the water for the fish. While dedicated bio-filters and settlers can be added as precautionary measures, this system is very self correcting, taking away the need for chemical usage such as fertilizers. Even PH levels are adjusted correctly assuming the fish tank and hydroponic setup is contaminant free.
Quick overview of the benefits
-No nutrients required
-PH balance is adjusted correctly on its own
-water is filtered on its own and recycled
-no chemical usage such as fertilizers and pesticides
-fish can be harvested as a second food source
-crops have a higher turn-around and higher yield
What you will need
This technique isn't just for large commercial agriculture companies, setups small enough to add in your kitchen as a centerpiece or on a teachers desk for educational use can be easily created.
With all the benefits already known, why not add it in to any size of a hydroponic setup. If you already have a hydroponic setup, all you will need to do is add in an aquarium/tank with the proper fish and you have a fully functional aquaponic system
Items required for indoor aquaponics
- Hydroponic system including plant bed, medium and tubes connecting to tank
- Grow light depending on where your hydroponic system is setup
- Aquarium or fish tank
- Water pump
- Power source for pump and grow light
- Ceramisite
- Fish
- Plants
Lets build!
Step 1 - Fill the black bottom tank to the water mark with clean uncontaminated water.
Step 2 - Find the small transparent tube and connect it to the water pump.
Step 3 - Connect the water pump to the transparent fish tank.
Step 4 - Place the buoy through the transparent tank into the black bottom tank.
Step 5 - Place the transparent tank on the black bottom tank then attach the pumps power
box onto the bottom tanks notch.
Step 6 - Attach the isolation plug to the solid tube at the top of the fish tank then fill the tank with water up to the isolation plug.
Step 7 - Stack the top plant tray in alignment with the mountain tube.
Step 8 - Install the clear syphon tube into the flow adjustment switch.
Step 9 - Add in your ceramisite until it fills the tray about an inch thick.
Step 10 - Add in your fish and plants!
What fish should you use?
Deciding on what type of fish you should use entirely depends on your setup. Large scale
with the purpose of farming and sustainability should have larger fish to produce more
waste and to carry the benefit of being able to harvest the fish for food. Small scale,
like the setup we just built will require smaller fish. Small also gives you the option
of choosing fish based on your perception of attractiveness. Decorative fish that can be
used in small setups like this are guppies, fancy goldfish, angelfish and swordfish. Some
people have taken is as far as creating environments for turtles, crayfish and even shrimp
What plants should you use?
Most plants will thrive in an aquaponic environment, especially those commonly used for
agricultural purposes. Large scale operations will grow all kinds of vegetables such as
lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, spinach or anything grown on a farm. But since this setup is
small and more so decorative, smaller vegetable and herb plants can be used such as basil,
mint, watercress, chives, parsley, lemon grass, oregano, thyme, succulents and many more.
Get started!
Although the idea of aquaponics can be daunting and seem complicated, it's not as big
of a task as it seems. Whether it's for a green solution to growing crops naturally or
a hobby that can double as decoration, everyone can find a reason to jump on the wagon.
As you have read above, with minimal equipment and time, you can create your own little
Eco-system that provides you with food, education and a wonderful conversation starter.
Aquaponix, The Evolution of Aquaponic Crops
264 Thousand Lettuce Heads a Year Every 1000 sq m
Aquaponix (registered trademark) was one of the innovations presented at Novel Farm in Pordenone (click here for the photo gallery). It enables to grow vegetables, aromatic plants and flowers using aquaculture with fish swimming in the same tank. Promoters ensure it is a revolutionary system that can be adopted for 'urban farming' on a professional level by specialized producers as well as by hobbyists."
"We developed this system together with SEI from Piossasco in the Turin province. It is not a traditional aquaculture system using different tanks for vegetables and fish, as we create a symbiosis - fish eat roots, so plants keep producing root hairs considerably increasing their efficiency and growth," explains agronomist Alessandro Arioli.
Compared to a traditional system, the lettuce cycle is around ten days shorter. There is no drain: water regenerates thanks to its own biodiversity can also regulate the temperature.
"Fish eat the roots, which therefore keep growing day after day so no root disease develops and a bacterial balance is established thanks to the fish."
"The first systems were put in place three years ago and tests show that the vegetables grown this way have more flavor than those cultivated using the hydroponic system. 10-15 dish per cubic meter of water are needed. The system is integrated and fish can be bred to be sold."
As regards yields, we are talking about 264 heads a year per square meter, i.e. 264 thousand heads/year every 1000 sq meters. Considering 200 grams of saleable weight per head, we are talking about 52 tons a year of lettuce very 1000 sq m.
Contacts:
SEI srl
Aquaponix
Via Roma 16, 10040
Rivalta (Torino)
Tel.: (+39) 011/9042821
Tel.: (+39) 335/7356357
Email: seisrlto@gmail.com
Publication date : 2/22/2019
© HortiDaily.com
A Guide To Aquaponics Food Safety
Aquaponics, producing fish and vegetables in a closed-loop water system, reduces fertilizer use and water discharge, and is therefore promoted as a sustainable venture. But how about the food safety?
Aquaponics, producing fish and vegetables in a closed-loop water system, reduces fertilizer use and water discharge, and is therefore promoted as a sustainable venture. But how about the food safety?
Widely understood as one of the major challenges of the horticultural industry, there is not an univocal way to tackle this issue. Because of this, Green Aquaponics LLC has shared a thorough and exhaustive explanation of how to develop a food safety plan for aquaponics cultures.
Click here to read the document
Publication date : 2/22/2019
Simple DIY Aquaponic System For The Home
Aquaponics is the art of growing plants in a system where fish and plants co-exist.
Mother nature has been doing this for as long as plants and fish have existed, humans
have been doing this since the beginning of farming and cultivation, but only recently
has it been brought back into the light with hydroponics. Gaining in popularity, this
technique has been proven to have many benefits for crops while being very eco-friendly.
So why should you add aquaponics to your hydroponic garden? Fish and plants have been working
together for a very long time, their practically soul mates. Bacteria from plants breaks down
the fish waste and feed, then converts it into plant food and nutrient. Organic matter contained
in fish feces and feed are also used for the conversion of fish generated ammonia to nitrate.
The plants consuming the dissolved waste nutrients filter the water for the fish. While
dedicated bio-filters and settlers can be added as precautionary measures, this system is
very self correcting, taking away the need for chemical usage such as fertilizers. Even PH levels are adjusted correctly assuming the fish tank and hydroponic setup is contaminant free.
Quick overview of the benefits
-No nutrients required
-PH balance is adjusted correctly on its own
-water is filtered on its own and recycled
-no chemical usage such as fertilizers and pesticides
-fish can be harvested as a second food source
-crops have a higher turn-around and higher yield
What you will need
This technique isn't just for large commercial agriculture companies, setups small enough to add in
your kitchen as a centerpiece or on a teachers desk for educational use can be easily created. With
all the benefits already known, why not add it in to any size of a hydroponic setup. If you already have
a hydroponic setup, all you will need to do is add in an aquarium/tank with the proper fish and you have a fully functional aquaponic system
Items required for indoor aquaponics
- Hydroponic system including plant bed, medium and tubes connecting to tank
- Grow light depending on where your hydroponic system is setup
- Aquarium or fish tank
- Water pump
- Power source for pump and grow light
- Ceramisite
- Fish
- Plants
Lets build!
Step 1 - Fill the black bottom tank to the water mark with clean uncontaminated water.
Step 2 - Find the small transparent tube and connect it to the water pump.
Step 3 - Connect the water pump to the transparent fish tank.
Step 4 - Place the buoy through the transparent tank into the black bottom tank.
Step 5 - Place the transparent tank on the black bottom tank then attach the pumps power
box onto the bottom tanks notch.
Step 6 - Attach the isolation plug to the solid tube at the top of the fish tank then fill
the tank with water up to the isolation plug.
Step 7 - Stack the top plant tray in alignment with the mountain tube.
Step 8 - Install the clear syphon tube into the flow adjustment switch.
step 9 - Add in your ceramisite until it fills the tray about an inch thick.
Step 10 - Add in your fish and plants!
What fish should you use?
Deciding on what type of fish you should use entirely depends on your setup. Large scale
with the purpose of farming and sustainability should have larger fish to produce more
waste and to carry the benefit of being able to harvest the fish for food. Small scale,
like the setup we just built will require smaller fish. Small also gives you the option
of choosing fish based on your perception of attractiveness. Decorative fish that can be
used in small setups like this are guppies, fancy goldfish, angelfish and swordfish. Some
people have taken is as far as creating environments for turtles, crayfish and even shrimp.
What plants should you use?
Most plants will thrive in an aquaponic environment, especially those commonly used for
agricultural purposes. Large scale operations will grow all kinds of vegetables such as
lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, spinach or anything grown on a farm. But since this setup is
small and more so decorative, smaller vegetable and herb plants can be used such as basil,
mint, watercress, chives, parsley, lemon grass, oregano, thyme, succulents and many more.
Get started!
Although the idea of aquaponics can be daunting and seem complicated, it's not as big
of a task as it seems. Whether it's for a green solution to growing crops naturally or
a hobby that can double as decoration, everyone can find a reason to jump on the wagon.
As you have read above, with minimal equipment and time, you can create your own little
Eco-system that provides you with food, education and a wonderful conversation starter.
AUTHOR: Luis Rivera has 20+ years of experience in global market expansion, business development, mergers and acquisitions, business re-engineering, finance and investor relations of software companies. He is passionate about technology, spectral science, indoor farming, food production, automation, and more.
Since 2015 he is the president of Advanced LED Lights, a leading LED grow lights manufacturer based in Hiwasse, Arkansas. When not at work, Luis enjoys swimming, yoga, as well as growing grapes and flowers in Sonoma, California.
Brandon Gottsacker, Superior Fresh: US (WI): “Science Runs This Facility”
Leafy greens and fresh Atlantic salmon. Add a little lemon wedge and it will be the perfect meal at a picnic. Those two elements also make the biggest aquaponics system in the world, which is located in Hixton, Wisconsin.
At a 123,000 square feet greenhouse they annually grow 1.8 million pounds of leafy greens in the dead of winter. The fish production yields 16,000 pounds a year. In this video Brandon Gottsacker, president of the company explains how it all works and he also tells that they are currently finishing their phase 2 greenhouse which will double the annual yield of leafy greens.
For more information:
Superior Fresh
W15506 Superior Fresh Drive
Hixton, WI 54635
info@superiorfresh.com
www.superiorfresh.com
This Farming Style That Skips Soil And Adds Fish Is Growing In Popularity
Aquaponic farming is not a widespread practice, but it is expected to grow. According to Future Market Insights, the global aquaponics industry is expected to grow more than 7 percent in the next 10 years. In 2018, the United States was home to about 40 percent of all aquaponics operations globally.
Courtesy of Tom McPherson
Springworks Farm, a commercial aquaponics operation in Lisbon.
By Sam Schipani, BDN Staff
February 22, 2019
Aquaponics sounds like the stuff of science fiction. Instead of crops’ roots reaching down into the soil, they are suspended in water that is filled with live, swimming fish that sustain the plants with their nutrient-rich excrement. The closed-loop system is generally less disease prone and more water efficient than soil-based gardening, and at the end of the day, its farmers can sell plants from above the waterline and the fish from below.
Aquaponic farming is not a widespread practice, but it is expected to grow. According to Future Market Insights, the global aquaponics industry is expected to grow more than 7 percent in the next 10 years. In 2018, the United States was home to about 40 percent of all aquaponics operations globally.
The innovative growing method has the potential to make a splash in Maine’s agricultural scene, but first, it has to overcome market roadblocks and a marred past.
The story of Springworks Farm
The only active commercial aquaponics growing operation in Maine is Springworks Farm in Lisbon. Trevor Kenkel, the company’s founder, broke ground on Springworks Farm five years ago, when he was just weeks into his freshman year at Bowdoin College. The 6,000-square-foot facility raises tilapia and grows five different types of lettuce. Kenkel said the farm provides produce and fish to about 25 Hannafords and several distributors.
Courtesy of Tom McPherson
Springworks Farm, a commercial aquaponics operation in Lisbon.
“Our system is about 20 times more productive per acre than a conventional farm,” Kenkel said. “We have this whole web of organisms that allows us to be a steward of that system rather than controlling it.”
Along with their eco-friendly bona fides, aquaponic systems can provide local produce year-round, even during Maine’s harsh winters.
“Maine has a really strong local food movement that I think is really supportive of an operation like this that can produce local food all year,” Kenkel said.
Growing local has an added sustainability benefit: reducing food miles. Most of the lettuce in the United States is grown in California and Arizona, whereas Maine-grown aquaponic lettuce does not accrue the carbon generated by a cross-country journey.
“In terms of carbon use, the amount that you save by reducing the 2,500-mile trucking journey to 200 miles is really incredible,” Kenkel said.
Kenkel said that Springworks Farm is still in “growth mode,” but the outlook is good. It recently broke ground on a second greenhouse.
Courtesy of Tom McPherson
Trevor Kenkel, founder of Springworks Farm, a commercial aquaponics operation based in Lisbon.
But promising aquaponics operations have failed in Maine before. Fluid Farms, billed as the first commercial aquaponics operation in the state, was founded in 2013 in Dresden following a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised more than $9,000. In 2016, it won the $50,000 grand prize in Gorham Savings Bank’s LaunchPad competition. The company was even certified organic by Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association.
Now, only a few years later, Fluid Farms appears to be no longer operational. According to the Maine Secretary of State’s office, Fluid Farms administratively dissolved in 2018. Tyler Gaudet, one of the founders, declined to comment on what happened to the company.
Aquaponics in the classroom
Aquaponics is used primarily as a learning tool in Maine.
Maine Agrotech in St. Albans, designs, installs and provides technical support for small-scale aquaponic systems throughout the state. Jeff Giallombardo, Maine Agrotech’s founder, said most of its customers are universities and high schools, though he has installed a few at private residences as well.
“The interest now seems to be in the education sector,” he said.
Giallombardo started Maine Agrotech after using aquaponics as an educational tool for an alternative education program for Nokomis Regional High School in Newport.
“I got involved with aquaponics to try to deliver engaging and interdisciplinary instructions to students in my program,” Giallombardo said. “I got inundated with requests from people wanting to know how to do it.”
Education is built into the business model for Springworks Farm, too. Kenkel said the farm has been an educational operation “from the start,” conducting tours and selling small aquaponics kits for aquariums as a didactic tool.
Courtesy of Tom McPherson
Lettuce grown at Springworks Farm, a commercial aquaponics operation based in Lisbon.
“We have those now in something like 130 schools and a curriculum to match,” Kenkel said. “I kind of wish I had that growing up. A micro-farm lets you experience things the hands on way.”
University of Southern Maine is one of the schools that takes regular field trips to Springworks Farm. Theodore Willis, associate research professor at the university, started using aquaponics to teach a land-based aquaculture and research methods class in August 2017. The 10-tank aquaponics system — housed in a university laboratory — grows lettuce, celery, bell peppers and kale alongside tilapia, which is the fish most commonly used in aquaponic systems.
In Willis’ experience, aquaponics is a valuable learning tool, but can be challenging to manage. During the school year, Willis has a steady stream of students to help tend the system, and the school cafeteria and catering services use the produce grown in meals on campus. Summer vacation, on the other hand, proves challenging.
“It works well for nine months out of the year, but for three months we are trying to figure out what to do with the various things we are growing down there,” Willis said. “I’m relying on undergraduate volunteers to come in and clean things and feed fish.”
Roadblocks to aquaponics in Maine
On a larger scale, the small university scheduling issues could translate into real world roadblocks for commercial aquaponics operations.
“If you have any aquaculture system on a large scale, you have to have the financial backing and the personnel to keep it running,” Willis said.
Like at the university, having consumers for aquaponically grown products is also essential to the operation’s success.
“You have to be able to move product,” Kenkel said. “Lettuce has a very short shelf life.”
Unlike at the university — Willis said he is not looking to make money off of its system — consumer preferences matter for commercial operations. Aquaponically grown crops also tend to be more expensive than their soil-based commercial farmed counterparts.
“It is a relatively expensive way to grow food, so there is usually a premium price point on it,” Willis explained. “You have to get the consumer to recognize that head of organic romaine for $2.99 drove thousands miles and was grown with water mined from aquifers, whereas one from aquaponic operation that is $3.25 was grown locally with no added fertilizers.”
Courtesy of Theodore Willis
Associate research professor Theodore Willis growing aquaponics at the University of Southern Maine.
Finding a market for aquaponically grown food and fish in Maine is also going to be a challenge. American consumers have less of a taste for tilapia, the primary fish grown in aquaponic systems. Tilapia is, as Willis described, “a bulletproof teaching fish” because it is so hardy and forgiving. But it is difficult to sell.
“[Tilapia] is a not particularly strong-flavored white flesh fish, like flounder,” Willis said. “A lot of this is training the consumer to accept a different taste than they are used to.”
Not only is it challenging to turn a profit on aquaponically grown products, but also the upfront costs for the energy and infrastructure required for an aquaponics operation are steep. The extreme weather conditions throughout the year make keeping the system at relative stasis especially difficult in Maine.
“In Maine, you’ve got fairly hot summers paired with pretty brutal winters. Keeping things consistent in that kind of environment is difficult,” Kenkel said. “With the right kind of equipment and processes in place, it’s certainly achievable, but getting started is very difficult compared to other kind of agricultural systems.”
Overcoming challenges and the future of aquaponics in Maine
These roadblocks could have prevented commercial aquaponics operations from succeeding in the past in Maine.
“I don’t think anyone has quite figured out the energy equation in Maine in terms of lighting, heating and cooling,” Giallombardo said. “I’m not sure anyone has figured out the market yet either, and what crops are the most profitable.”
Giallombardo believes culinary herbs are an opportunity for aquaponic growers, as most of the herbs sold in supermarkets are grown in the southern United States.
“You can get a much higher quality product grown locally at a better price point right now,” Giallombardo said. “That’s really your best bang for your buck in my research.”
The educational interest in aquaponics across Maine could help with one of its biggest barriers to entry: knowledge.
“People just don’t know enough about aquaponics here,” Giallombardo said.
Giallombardo predicts that the aquaponics industry, as well as similar industries like recirculating aquaculture and indoor agriculture, will only continue to grow in Maine. The proliferance of aquaponics learning tools in classrooms, he said, will prove especially useful as job training.
“You can use these systems really to educate on all of these industries and prepare students for jobs that are no doubt going to be there soon,” Giallombardo said.
Though Springworks Farm still stands alone, Kenkel is also hopeful about the potential for small-scale growers, whether in classrooms or their own homes, to branch out in the future.
“I think there’s a strong community of people who do it on a smaller scale,” Kenkel said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if more people struck out and built larger systems.”
US: Moroni, Utah Couple Looking To Build Aquaponics Facility
A Moroni couple have received a variance from the state of Utah to grow tilapia, a type of edible fish grown on fish farms. “Other people have called us a ‘fish farm’,” Teri says. “It’s a lot more than that. We actually will be producing from 5,000 to 11,000 heads of vegetables a day.”
By James Tilson
02-21-2019
Cliff and Teri Sackett
MORONI—A Moroni couple have received a variance from the state of Utah to grow tilapia, a type of edible fish grown on fish farms.
But they say their operation will be much more than a fish farm. They plan to use aquaponics, a form of agriculture in which waste from fish is used to fertilize vegetable plants, and in which the vegetables are raised in water rather soil. Such a system, they say, can produce remarkable yields.
Cliff and Teri Sackett, experienced fish farmers, are looking to develop their aquaponics facility just of Moroni. The final facility, they say, will be 1 acre under glass.
“Other people have called us a ‘fish farm’,” Teri says. “It’s a lot more than that. We actually will be producing from 5,000 to 11,000 heads of vegetables a day.”
The Sacketts explain that in an aquaponics facility, fish, plants and microbes work together to achieve high efficiency. The technique uses much less water and much less space than traditional “dirt” farming, without using any chemicals as fertilizers.
The fish exude waste and ammonia into water. That water from the fish tanks is pumped into the vegetable beds, where naturally occurring microbes break down the ammonia into nitrates. Those nitrates are absorbed by the plants. The water is then filtered and pumped back into the fish ponds.
“The fish provide a constant, organic source of nutrients for the plants,” Cliff says.
An aquaponics operation in which vegetables and fish are grown together in a water environment. The system shown is a little different from the one planned by Cliff and Teri Sackett of Moroni (left). In the example, fish and vegetables share the same space. The Sacketts plan to keep the fish and vegetables separate but to use water from the fish area, which will contain waste from the fish, to fertilize the vegetables.
The Sacketts point out aquaponics is not hydroponics. In hydroponics, plants are growing in water, but chemicals are used to fertilize the plants. The system must be flushed out at least once a year.
An aquaponics operation in which vegetables and fish are grown together in a water environment. The system shown is a little different from the one planned by Cliff and Teri Sackett of Moroni (left). In the example, fish and vegetables share the same space. The Sacketts plan to keep the fish and vegetables separate but to use water from the fish area, which will contain waste from the fish, to fertilize the vegetables.
Teri says, “One of the things I like about aquaponics is it’s self-sustaining. And where we are putting our facility under glass, there will be much less water use than (in) irrigation or hydroponics. This method is much more conducive to a drought-stricken area.”
“With dirt farming,” Cliff says, “you’re constantly having to re-fertilize, constantly watering, yet the farmer will never have it just right. And the plants have to devote significant energy to putting roots into the ground.”
“With aquaponics, the plants never have to grow through the dirt, their nutrients are constant and always correct. The growing time from seed to harvest is 42-52 days, versus 120 days for traditional methods….And with aquaponics, we’ll have a full-year growing season.”
Another advantage, Teri says, is avoidance of problems that are showing up in vegetables grown in California.
In California, farmers don’t allow manure to age. It stays in liquid form and is sprayed over the fields. The result can be e.coli.
“We don’t have that problem, because fish don’t produce e. coli,” Terry says.
Aquaponics is super productive.
“In California, an acre of lettuce would produce 20,000 heads in a season,” Cliff says. “At best, they’ll get three seasons, maybe only two. Our facility will produce 5,000 heads a day. In one week, we would do two-thirds of their season. In two weeks, we’ve produced as much as their entire year. And we can produce 12 months a year.”
At peak production, Cliff says, the Sackett aquaponics operation could conceivably produce 230,000 heads of lettuce per month. At the same time, it could produce 20,000 pounds of tilapia per month.
Right now, the Sacketts are looking for a primary investor to replace the one who dropped out as of January. They will need at least $5 million to fully capitalize their project. But they are not worried anyone else will try to take the project out from under them. “We’r
Evolution of Commercial Aquaponics in India
Evolution of Commercial Aquaponics in India
Anubhav Das | February 22, 2019
Change is happening, and it’s shaping the new age farming in the country. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is here with an exponential pace of technology. Digital innovation is making its roots in every industry & sector, and not to forget – agriculture industry – the lifeline of the Indian economy. Agritech, urban farming, farm to table – are some of the buzz words that have been around lately.
Change agents have come forward and taken up initiatives to introduce technology & digital devices in farming – to help the farmer keep a track of weather forecasts, plantation & harvesting patterns and to enhance the yield. Initiatives have also been taken up by the government to integrate rural farmers with the wider market and to enhance their access to information, services and trade.
But still, we are left with no answers when questions like these arise – Will farm output keep up with the demands of the growing population? Will farm produce offer the quality that is essential for healthy living? How can we use our scarce & depleting resources efficiently?
What we are missing is the transition in our approach – transition from traditional to modern farming practices & techniques. Existing farming techniques in India follow the traditional route. The only way we know how to grow food is in open fields and we grow what the weather allows us to. Thus the current agricultural scenario in India is season dependent. Because of that, not everything can grow at a place at all times. The hub of production of a particular crop changes every few months. As a result the food has to travel increasing number of miles before it reaches the consumer.
Globally this is changing. How the food is grown, how much time it takes to grow food, what time of the year can the food be grown – it’s all changing. Crops are becoming available throughout the year and slashing the food miles for every customer. With the integration of technology in farming, a shift in the way farming is done is being observed. One such shift is being brought about by Aquaponics. It is a method of food production that combines raising fish (aquaculture) with soil-less growing of plants (hydroponics) by creating a symbiotic ecosystem. Aquaponics works in a re-circulating water system which reduces the water use by over ninety percent as compared to conventional soil-based agriculture. To add to that, it is a chemical-free mode of farming and also allows the possibility of going vertical with minimal effort.
On the internet we see information and videos talking about how people are saving resources and growing high quality produce with aquaponics, globally. They talk about enhancing ‘food security’, reducing the ‘food miles’ and how one can get fresh produce, all the year round. However in our country, we have very limited people who are doing aquaponics and succeeding. When one wants to learn about aquaponics in India, 99% of the case studies are based on international growers.
Their systems cannot easily be replicated in India just yet because they are based on inherent assumptions about availability of resources and infrastructure which does not hold true for our country. So while such farming techniques are spreading rapidly in developed countries, they just beginning to be introduced to developing countries such as India. These technologies are developed in an American or European context need to be adapted to the local context before they can be successful here.
Nevertheless, steps are being taken to ensure sustainable production & consumption patterns. Over the last decade, a few growers have started using novel and innovative farming techniques – growing food inside a greenhouse, on the rooftop, in the basement and inside shipping containers. However, most of these growers practice soil based organic farming and only a selected few have tried their hands on commercial aquaponics. And for these selected few, there is no dearth of growing space options. This is a group of individuals who believe in ‘ditch the dirt’ concept – which is soilless growing of food and without the use of any chemicals/pesticides and contributing to the environment. Red Otter Farms is among the first of them.
Anubhav Das is Founder of Red Otter Farm
September 20-22 @ Kentucky State University!
Hi Everyone!
We have big news: this year's Aquaponics Association Annual Conference will be September 20-22 at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY.
Stay tuned for the first round of early bird tickets within a few weeks.
Kentucky State University hosts one of the most advanced aquaculture research programs in the nation, including indoor aquaponics research systems, saltwater aquaponics research, a 30’ x 70’ aquaponics demonstration greenhouse, a 10,000sq foot recirculating aquaculture research building, and 33 research ponds.
The goal of the conference is to unite growers from around the world and advance the practice of aquaponics. The Aquaponics Association looks to build on the momentum of the last annual conferences Putting Down Roots in Portland, Oregon, 2017; and Putting Up Shoots in Hartford, Connecticut, 2018. Each hosted the world’s top aquaponics experts, a vendor showroom of the top aquaponics technology and services, and tours of large-scale aquaponics projects.
Frankfort, Kentucky is a small, quaint town with some of the nation’s top bourbon distilleries, the Keenland Racetrack, and other cultural attractions close by.
Frankfort is reachable from Bluegrass Airport (LEX); Greater Cincinnati – Northern Kentucky Int’l Airport (CVG); and 60 minutes from Louisville Airport (SDF).
We hope to see you in September!
Brian Filipowich, Chairman
Aquaponics Association
Organic Industry Is Not Giving Hydroponic, Aquaponic Growers A Warm Embrace
The litigious Center for Food Safety two weeks ago filed a rule-making petition with U.S. Department of Agriculture, demanding new regulations prohibiting organic certification of hydroponic agriculture production
By Dan Flynn on February 8, 2019
Some fresh produce from hydroponic growers has been approved for and is being sold under USDA’s organic seal, but farmers who grow their organic crops in the soil don’t like the competition.
The litigious Center for Food Safety two weeks ago filed a rule-making petition with U.S. Department of Agriculture, demanding new regulations prohibiting organic certification of hydroponic agriculture production. The 22-page petition also asks USDA to revoke any existing organic certification previously issued to hydroponic operations.
Food safety comes into play in the petition in only one way. Hydroponics doesn’t have soil, so they come up a little short because they do not provide soil samples as a measure of testing compliance. The CFS points out that regulations implementing the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 “consistently suggest soil samples as a measure for testing compliance.”
Agents who review operations as part of the USDA’s organic certification process “must conduct periodic residue testing of agricultural products,” with soil samples suggested as a method for testing, CFS’s petition says. “Many hydroponic systems would not contain soil for sampling, as suggested in the OFPA regulations.”
Hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic growers currently can earn organic certification. It is allowed by USDA so long as the certifier can show there is compliance with the organic standard. One industry supplier says hydroponics, by definition, is a method of growing plants in a water-based nutrient-rich solution that does not use soil. Instead of plants root in a nutrient solution with access to oxygen.
A year ago, USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) tried to settle some issues concerning organic certification of hydroponic and aeroponic growing operations. The AMS action came after USDA’s advisory National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recommended banning the non-soil systems from being called organic production. USDA only briefly pondered that one before saying “thanks, but no thanks” to NOSB for the recommendation.
Aquaponics refers to growing crops in a system with farmed fish that supply nutrients for plants. Greenhouse growers and urban farmers using vertical growing systems use hydroponic and aeroponic methods — all without soil. The organic industry has been rocked with debate about these hydroponic methods for nearly a decade.
CFS wants a flat prohibition on hydroponic operations ever being allowed to use the USDA organic label. It claims hydroponic production systems that do not use soil do not meet federal organic standards and violate organic practices, which require that organic farming include soil improvement and biodiversity conservation.
Joining the CFS petition are more than a dozen other organic farmers, consumer, retailer, and certifying organizations, including the Organic Farmers Association, Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA), PCC Community Markets, and the Cornucopia Institute.
“Mislabeling mega-hydroponic operations as ‘organic’ is contrary to the text and basic principles of the organic standard. Right now there is a pitched battle for the future of organic, and we stand with organic farmers and consumers who believe the label must retain its integrity,” said George Kimbrell, CFS legal director.
The petitioners say consumers trust the organic label and pay extra for the assurance that it indicates a more healthful and environmentally-friendly way of producing the food they buy.
Since the federal Certified Organic label was introduced more than 20 years ago, CFS says the organic food market has grown exponentially and is now a $60 billion industry in which multinational corporations have bought organic brands and compete with small food producers who use environmentally-friendly methods.
“Allowing hydroponic systems to be certified as organic undercuts the livelihood of organic farmers that take great lengths to support healthy soil as the bedrock of their farms,” stated Kate Mendenhall of the Organic Farmers Association. “Hydroponic producers getting the benefit of the organic label without actually doing anything to benefit the soil undermines the standard and puts all soil-based organic farmers at an untenable economic disadvantage.”
The petition argues that organic agriculture has traditionally been defined as using soil requirements such as fostering soil fertility, improving soil quality, and using environmentally beneficial farming methods such as proper tillage and crop rotation.
USDA continues to allow hydroponics, which goes against the advisory NOSB’s recommendation that organic certification not be extended to the non-soil growing methods.
Canada and Mexico prohibit hydroponics for organics, and the European Parliament voted to end the organic certification of hydroponic products in April 2018.
“Corporate agribusiness lobbyists have been working to water down the organic standards for decades,” said Mark Kastel, executive director for the Cornucopia Institute. “In this case, the careful stewardship of soil fertility is not only a philosophical precept, but it’s also codified in federal law.”
And while CFS is often successful with its legal strategies, the current petition to USDA may not get too far. Jennifer Tucker, the deputy administrator of USDA’s National Organic Program, recently said organic certification of hydroponic operations is “a settled issue.”
“Last year we issued an Organic Insider (e-mail newsletter) that indicated that hydroponics had been allowed since the beginning of the program and that (they) are still allowed,” Tucker said. “We consider that a settled issue.”
The Packer, the produce industry publication, reported Tucker’s comments to the 2019 Global Organic Produce Expo.
“There are some certifiers that certify hydroponics, and there are some that do not; they are all bound by a common set of regulations,” Tucker added.
Tags: Center for Food Safety, hydroponic, Jennifer Tucker, NOP, NOSB, organic certification, organics, USDA Organic
Convert Your Hydroponic System To An Aquaponic System
As we rush towards a greener tomorrow, techniques that have been given to us by mother nature are being revived with modern methods. Aquaponics has a long way to go but both economically and environmentally speaking, this path with have many rewards.
Contributed by | GoblinHydro
01/08/19, 08:48 AM
For those of you who are seasoned growers, aquaponics might be an investment worth while. Aquaponics is all about your water and nutrients in your solution tank, so your not really "converting" as much as you are "adding." it doesn't matter how you choose to deliver water and nutrients to your plant, as long as it comes from the tank inhabited by the fish. Everything you have set up, however it is laid out, you're just a couple steps away from converting your hydroponic or aeroponic system to a aquaponic system.
Aside from the many benefits you will read below, teachers have been turning to hands on education using small aquaponic systems in the classroom.
Why convert?
Yes, it may require a little bit of extra capital, but the benefits far exceed the cost. Organic matter contained in fish feces and feed are used for the conversion of fish generated ammonia to nitrate. Bacteria breaks down the fish waste and converts it to plant food and nutrients. This is a huge cut in your nutrient upkeep. Instead, you will be supplying your fish with food and letting them take care of the plants.
Water is constantly being recycled instead of disposed of, which will give you a huge break when paying your hydro bill. Since the water is recycled, the only loss of water comes from evaporation and transpiration.
PH balance is very important to keep an eye on, in aquaponics or any other method. While you will still need to keep that eye on it, bacteria breaking down the fish waste should adjust the PH balance on its own.
Vegetation and fish happen to be healthiest choice in food, and your farming both! Once a fish has matured (depending on species,) you can remove and enjoy a healthy organic dinner while enjoying the freedom of being self sufficient.
Will my yield increase or decrease?
Many cultivators are reporting a rate of 400% - 500% faster crop turns. Not only that but crop density has been heavily increased for many. Every plant responds to aquaponics differently and certain fish seem to partner with plants just a little bit better.
Many different species of fish can be used. Which kind you select will depend on not only your plant species but tank size.
If this is a home project you might want to use ornamental fish like guppies, fancy goldfish, angelfish or even a swordfish. Some have even created environments for turtles, crayfish and even shrimp. If the purpose is not decorative, but still home based, pacu, koi and catfish get along with many different plants. Larger commercial operations use larger fish including larger mouth bass, salmon burramundi, this is to maximize nutrients per fish and to provide a cheaper upkeep solution.
Time to add in your aquaponics tank
Choose your tank - As mentioned above, the size of the tank will be dependent on your grow area and fish species you plan to manage.
Choose your fish - This should have already been decided at the time your obtained your tank. Proper research should be done on the species and the habitat required. Search for studies and/or personal experiences through blogs, forums and research papers on what fish people recommend for your specific plant.
Transfer your pump - Remove the pump from your nutrient tank and place it into your fish tank. The minute delay of water to your plants should not cause any stress. Make sure the pump is safe from any holes or crevices your fish can wedge itself into.
Maintenance - Now that the hard part is complete, a close eye will be needed to ensure your fish accept their new home and produce the bacteria required to detoxify the water. Fish feeding should start off gently so you don't overfeed the fish. Leaving traces of leftover food particles can contaminate the water and throw off the bacteria process causing a buildup of ammonia and nitrate.
The best solution to measuring the amount of food required by your fish is to start with a predetermined amount wait 10 minutes while the fish take their fill. Up to 10% can be left in while more should be added if less than 5%.
Oxygen must be dissolved, if the oxygen falls below 2 mg/l, denitrification can occur. For optimum fish performance, keep the oxygen above 5 mg/l but below 10 mg/l. PH should be kept about 6.0, just add potassium for a boost when needed. tools such as API or Tetra kits for measuring nitrate and ammonia are readily available and relatively inexpensive.
As we rush towards a greener tomorrow, techniques that have been given to us by mother nature are being revived with modern methods. Aquaponics has a long way to go but both economically and environmentally speaking, this path with have many rewards.
US, Harrisburg, PA: Cyber School Aquaponics Program Draws Springetts Student
John Pavoncello York Dispatch
January 15, 2019
Nathaniel Saxe doesn't mind driving almost an hour to school from his Springettsbury Township home.
The 17-year-old junior has been enrolled in the Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA) since sixth grade, but his love of biology, and aquatics in particular, has led him to a unique learning experience in Harrisburg.
Nathaniel Saxe, a CCA junior from Springettsbury Township, harvests kale at the Agworks aquaponics facility in Harrisburg, Tuesday, January 8, 2019. John A. Pavoncello photo The York Dispatch
Agworks, a state-of-the-art learning aquaponics lab, is located across the street from the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. The facility was officially opened by CCA in December and is the largest public educational aquaponics facility in the country.
Funded through a federal grant, the facility lets cyber charter school students gain hands-on experience in agriculture, environmental science and trades.
Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA), a public cyber charter school, unveiled Agworks at CCA in December. Nathaniel Saxe, a CCA junior from Springettsbury Township, is planning a career in aquaponics and hopes to someday open an agriculture center in York City. John A. Pavoncello photo The York Dispatch
For Nathaniel, Agworks means that he is already focusing his education on his career.
"It's been an amazing experience," Nathaniel said. "I've been able to study how plants and fish can interact and produce a lot of food."
Students involved with the aquaponics facility do everything from feeding the fish, tilapia to be exact, to planting and harvesting plants such as romaine lettuce and several varieties of kale. The produce and fish raised by the students are donated to feed the local community, and some is even being sold to local restaurants and retailers.
Nathaniel's dream is to purchase an old warehouse in York City and convert it to an aquaponics farm.
"I hope I can use that as an opportunity to revitalize York," he said. "I love York City, I think it's a beautiful place."
Thorilex, LTD. Wants To Bring Aquaponic Innovations To The World
JANUARY 23, 2019 | KYLE BALDOCK
From Fishermen To Commercial Scale Aquaponic Suppliers And Beyond
THORILEX is a testament to the evolution of food production. With a background in fishing and fish farming, the team came together in 2010 to bring aquaponic farming to the Czech Republic and then the world. Starting out as a consultancy firm, they soon developed into a more full-scale provider of services. By 2015, THORILEX, Ltd. was established as a designer and builder of turnkey fish farms, aquaponic and hydroponic farms.
Having scaled their business from fish farming to aquaponics with a proprietary recirculating aquaculture system, they looked around at the market and saw a big opportunity in vertical farming. I spoke with Marek Hrstka, THORILEX’s Business and Marketing Director to discuss the company’s success and plans for scaling business in the future.
THORILEX Aquaponic Design
THORILEX is making aquaponic innovation more accessible
2018 was a year of progress for THORILEX, as they designed and delivered new patented products. The THORILEX Hydroponic System, a modern vertical farming system that is adjustable and scalable for commercial-scale growing, is now available on their website. They are also offering a long-life hydroponic basket that is compatible with their growing system, as well as a stainless steel, self-cleaning fish tank.
THORILEX designs products with the “IKEA-model”: because they are designed to be highly modular, they can be easily packed, shipped and delivered with minimal costs. In this way, Mr. Hrstka says that THORILEX can bring these modern aquaponics innovations to markets across the world. Since last year, they have been busy implementing their hydroponic system in a pilot project in a 2ha glass greenhouse. This showcase farm allows them to produce food in a highly controlled environment, generating and collecting data to be made available in future case studies.
Aiming for the world
THORILEX thinks in the global scale. Already well-established as leaders in the Czech Republic, they are now anticipating interest from the rest of Europe, China and North America. Yet Mr. Hrstka remains humble: “We are proud of our know how but without our partners, supporters and distributors, we wouldn’t be doing what we are doing now.” That could give a clue to why THORILEX joined the AVF: “We are open to any cooperation or partnership. We are looking for really good partners and distributors; feel free to get in touch.”
Current case studies and a product catalogue can be found on their website here:
Their special product website is here:
"What We Are Doing Here Is A Big Compromise"
Jos Hakkenes, Duurzame Kost City Farm:
On the fifth floor of Strijp-S in Eindhoven in the Netherlands, lettuce is growing. Under LED lighting, and completely circular. The fertilizer for the lettuce comes from fish, the roots of the lettuce are used to feed insects, and these insects feed the fish. The plants, meanwhile, have to do nothing else but hang in the water, according to Jos Hakkenes in a segment in Dutch TV show Binnenstebuiten about the 'vegetable garden', where people work who experience difficulty on the labor market.
The different lettuce varieties are being mostly supplied as mixed lettuce to restaurants. Not everything is a success, as the basil failed for example. The cultivation climate is still a compromise. Something to work on in the coming years. Jos in the broadcast: "It is not much yet, but sales are growing. I expect to place this kind of cultivation location at multiple locations in The Netherlands".
Watch the segment here (in Dutch).
Publication date : 12/24/2018
Superior Fresh At The Forefront Of Aquaponics Trend
By Noah Fish nfish@agrinews.com
December 8, 2018
Brandon Gottsacker, chief operations officer for Superior Fresh, describes the facility that grows salmon and greens in the middle of western Wisconsin countryside. | Chuck Rupnow/Eau Claire Leader-Telegram
“To grow what we have on about two-acres under glass, you’d need about 60-acres of conventional land,” said Kurt Wagaman, general manager of Superior Fresh. The fish house at the Superior Fresh facility, a Wisconsin-based aquaponics firm based out of Hixton, Wis.
HIXTON, Wisconsin
If you find yourself eating locally grown, organic lettuce this winter and wonder how that’s possible, it’s probably because of a Wisconsin-based aquaponics firm.
On a Native Restoration Sanctuary in the Coulee Region, about 60-miles from the Minnesota border, the company Superior Fresh has built a recirculated aquaculture facility and hydroponic greenhouse.
For those unfamiliar with aquaponics, the most basic definition is that it’s the combination of aquaculture (to raise and harvest fish) and hydroponics (to grow plants without soil). In even simpler terms, the fish waste feeds the plants and the plants clean the water for the fish.
The Superior Fresh facility uses nitrate-rich water from fish held in the aquaculture tanks to fertilize and water leafy greens in its greenhouse, which has recently doubled in size to 250,000 square-feet. The company is able to produce fresh products year-round, while maintaining a water-sustaining zero-discharge.
You’d be hard-pressed to find an organic, sustainable operation that can match the latitude of Superior Fresh.
“We have no chemicals, no antibiotics, no pesticides and are non-GMO — even our fish food is certified organic,” said Kurt Wagaman, general manager of Superior Fresh. “To grow what we have on about two-acres under glass, you’d need about 60-acres of conventional land.”
The company grows more than 100,000 pounds of leafy greens a month, Wagaman said. That ranges from several different varieties of head lettuces to salad greens.
“A good way to imagine that, is that it’d be the equivalent of roughly 32,000 heads of lettuce every day,” Wagaman said.
Inputs vs. outputs
Steelhead trout and Atlantic salmon are also raised under the same roof. Superior Fresh raises about one pound of fish for every 1.1 pounds of food that’s put into the system. According to Brandon Gottsacker, president of Superior Fresh, that’s a very efficient feed conversion ratio.
“On top of that, we’re using all that nutrient-rich water that the fish pass on to grow an additional 10-pounds of produce,” said Gottsacker. “That’s 1 pound of input into the system and 10 pounds of healthy organic food out of the system. So that’s flipping the scales with agriculture inputs versus outputs, and it’s pretty special.”
Wagaman said Superior Fresh hopes to add an herb line and is investigating the production of microgreens.
If you’re looking for Superior Fresh lettuce, you don’t have to go far. Wagaman said the firm’s lettuce can be found at any Kwik Trip location. Superior Fresh living butterhead lettuce and baby spring mix also are available in more than 600 stores throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota, and the company’s washed leaf lettuce mixes are available at more than 30 stores throughout Wisconsin.
This summer, Superior Fresh sold its first batch of land-farmed salmon at Festival Foods stores in Wisconsin.
Wanek family investment
The state-of-the-art aquaponic center in rural Wisconsin was built in 2015 by the Wanek family, owners of the Arcadia-based Ashley Furniture. The Waneks invested more than $100 million in the facility.
Interested in sustainable agriculture, Todd and Karen Wanek recruited Gottsacker, a distant relative of theirs with a degree in biological sciences, fisheries and aquaculture from the University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point.
“We had a common interest, and felt there was a huge need for sustainable agriculture and raising sustainable protein,” Gottsacker said of his link to the Waneks.
To gain the knowledge he’d need to run a commercial operation, Gottsacker went to West Virginia to work as an aquaculture technician for the Freshwater Institute of The Conservation Fund. He credits Steven Summerfelt, the director of aquaculture systems research for the institute, for spending a year training him. Summerfelt now serves as the chief science officer for Superior Fresh.
“He took me more or less under his wing, and showed me the ropes,” said Gottsacker. “He showed me the landscape of aquaculture and we visited sites all over North America.”
Gottsacker returned to Wisconsin in 2013 to work with the Waneks on a business model, and how to approach the capital intensive startup. During that time they also decided to integrate hydroponics with aquaculture.
“With Todd and Karen’s help, assistance and great background and understanding in business, we were able to put together what we think is the best plan,” said Gottsacker. “To not only have a successful business, but to do it sustainably.”
Growing trend
This week, Gottsacker and Wagaman were in Miami for the annual Aquaculture Innovation Workshop, where leaders from the industry are able to network.
This was the sixth workshop for Gottsacker. He said it’s amazing to see how much the aquaculture industry has grown in that time. Six years ago, the workshop had about 50 attendees and just a few commercial companies. This year he said there were around 20 companies.
According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, there are now 40 aquaponics facilities in the state.
“We’re proud to be the first ones to really take that same model in aquaculture and integrate it with commercial hydroponics application,” Gottsacker said. “There’s a huge need for it, and this type of farming is going to continue to grow.”
Tags Hydroponics Agriculture Economics Sanctuary Fresh Product Greenhouse
Restoration Facility Aquaculture Gardening Greens Fish Romaine Produce Natural Food Ceo Karen Todd Wanek Steven Summerfelt Brandon Gottsacker Wisconsin
Commerce Company Botany Store Kurt Wagaman Food Superior Fresh Firm
Noah Fish - Agri News Reporter
Noah joined the Post Bulletin staff in 2018 as a regional and Agri News reporter, and has covered Southeast Minnesota as regional and sports reporter since 2016. He enjoys talking to farmers, playing basketball and watching HBO.
US: Take A Peek Inside One Of The Country's Biggest Aquaponics Academies
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)
Commonwealth Charter Academy has opened one of the largest public educational aquaponics facilities in the country.
The 6,100 square-foot center is located at the cyber charter school's campus in Harrisburg.
CCA students are managing nearly 3,000 plants and about 400 fish in the facility.
ABC 27 took a look inside. Check it out here:
Aquaponics in STEM Breakout Discussions
The Aquaponics Association’s Putting Up Shoots conference in September, 2018 featured breakout discussion sessions for Aquaponics in STEM Education and for other sub-fields of aquaponics.
By Kevin Savage
The Aquaponics Association’s Putting Up Shoots conference in September, 2018 featured breakout discussion sessions for Aquaponics in STEM Education and for other sub-fields of aquaponics. These sessions allowed all conference participants to give input and discuss steps we can take together to advance aquaponics in our respective areas.
In September 2012, I attended my first Aquaponics Association conference in Denver, CO. I was new to aquaponics, and new to attempting to use aquaponics as a model for teaching science and agriculture in a high school setting. The conference was a bit overwhelming with technical presentations, conversations during breaks and at meals, and networking with aquaponics practitioners (many of whom are now close friends). I distinctly recall, however, that I met only one or two other individuals who were doing aquaponics in a secondary school setting.
At the 2013 Tucson conference, the number of educators and professional who were working with school had increased significantly, and by the 2016 and 2017 conferences (Austin, TX and Portland, OR), educators had dedicated presentation tracks to share with others how they were using aquaponics in elementary, middle, and high school, as well as college and university settings, to teach a myriad of science, agriculture, engineering, and mathematics principles.
In September 2018, members and friends of the Aquaponics Association gathered in Hartford, Connecticut for the Association’s “Putting Up Shoots” conference. The “Shoots” conference included a STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) technical track each day for education-focused presentations. Each day also include STEM-focused breakout sessions, where educators and those interested in adding aquaponics to a school or classroom had the opportunity to gather and discuss such topics as “How do I get my administration on board with aquaponics?”, “How do I incorporate aquaponics into my biology/chemistry/botany curriculum?”, and “Where do I find funding to cover the costs of starting aquaponics?” Some questions were easily addressed, but many others remained open-ended or unanswered, reflecting both the challenges and the opportunities for educators with a passion for experiential learning through aquaponics. The most exciting part of these breakout sessions was that over the three days of the conference, nearly 40 different individuals attended at least one of these sessions, and 25 individuals attended at least two of them! The participation of members in aquaponics in education continues grow!
Significant outcomes of these breakout sessions included introductions and networking, creation of a STEM education email group, and a “handshake” agreement to work with the educators of the U.S. Aquaculture Society to develop a forum or outlet for educators to share ideas and lesson plans, and to have a community in which to ask questions or seek assistance.
STEM Education is a primary focus area for the 2018 and 2019 Board of Directors, with the goal of creating a STEM Education Working Group. This working group will be composed of Association Members with a passion to see aquaponics education continue to grow, and a willingness to contribute to this growth. More information on the creation of this working group will be sent out in the near future.
The U.S. Government’s Fourth National Climate Assessment (November, 2018) Highlights The Need To Adopt Aquaponics At A Large Scale Nationwide
Aquaponics Association
By Brian Filipowich, Chairman
The report states: “over the next few decades, overall, yields from major U.S. crops are expected to decline as a consequence of increases in temperatures and possibly changes in water availability, soil erosion, and disease and pest outbreaks”; furthermore: “[c]limate change is also expected to lead to large-scale shifts in the availability and prices of many agricultural products across the world, with corresponding impacts on U.S. agricultural producers and the U.S. economy.”
So how can aquaponics help?
Aquaponics is a method of growing fish and plants in efficient, recirculating systems. Aquaponics does not require soil, and is practiced across the nation from cities to deserts. The ability to grow food anywhere allows all regions of the U.S. to create their own food supply without relying on long-distance, carbon-intensive food transport.
Aquaponics requires over 90% less water than traditional soil growth, making production far less susceptible to water shortages.
Aquaponics does not require synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or antibiotics.
Also, aquaponic systems not only produce fruits and vegetables, but also edible fish — an extremely efficient source of healthy protein that can be grown in any environment.
Unfortunately, the U.S. economy is not set up to incentivise efficient food production methods like aquaponics, hydroponics, and vertical agriculture. A free market economy is based on producers incorporating all costs of production into the prices for goods. But certain costs of agriculture are not realized at the time of production and are passed to other parties or future generations, creating artificially low prices for inefficient goods.
Modern large-scale agriculture uses excessive amounts of water, carbon, pesticides, antibiotics and fertilizers. These elements create enormous costs passed to others such as climate change adaptation, healthcare costs, food waste, antibiotic resistance, and toxic nutrient runoff.
Conversely, aquaponic systems can grow much more efficiently, but without a means to monetize this efficiency.
The U.S. Government Climate Report highlights the need to change the current system: “[n]umerous adaptation strategies are available to cope with adverse impacts of climate variability and change on agricultural production. These include altering what is produced, modifying the inputs used for production, adopting new technologies, and adjusting management strategies.”
It will take a large-scale, concerted nationwide effort to change the way we incentivize food production. Until that point, our economic system will steer consumers towards produce that adds to the problem of climate change, and is less able to adapt to climate change.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/23/health/climate-change-report-bn/index.html?no-st=1543264267
Revolution Farms Harvests First Batch Of Aquaponics Crops Grown Without Soil
Tripp Frey, founder and CEO of Revolution Farms
Locally grown lettuce now will be available in Michigan grocery stores during all four seasons.
Revolution Farms, at 2901 76th St. in Caledonia, harvested its first crop of aquaponics lettuce last month and made its debut in 16 SpartanNash stores, including Forest Hills Foods, 11 D&W Fresh Market locations and select VG’s Grocery and Family Fare locations.
Tripp Frey, founder and CEO of Revolution Farms, said the farm will be harvesting lettuce three times per week, which will result in 4,000 pounds per week. He said there are plans to grow more in the future; the farm has the capacity to produce more than 350,000 pounds of lettuce per year. Revolution Farms currently has between 12 and 15 full-time employees, according to Frey.
He said the farm purchases a variety of seeds from Johnny’s Selected Seeds, a national seed supplier, to grow its lettuce aquaponically, without soil, in a 55,000-square-foot glass greenhouse.
“We have about 15,000 fishes, and we are basically composting,” Frey said. “We break down the fish waste using a mechanical and biological infiltration, and we turn that ammonia into nitrogen for the plant. By growing it this way and in a greenhouse, we can grow the produce year-round and offer really healthy products to people. Consumers want fresh, locally grown food, and they care where their food comes from.”
In addition to growing year-round salad mix, which includes green butter, red oak, sweet crisp and romaine lettuce, Frey said the farm will be using fewer resources than traditional farmers, such as 80 percent less water, 90 percent less land and 95 percent fewer miles traveled. About 95 percent of lettuce in Michigan comes from outside the state, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
“This method of farming is sustainable; you use significantly less water,” he said. “There is no agricultural runoff, and we are not trucking products across the country from California. So, there are really no negatives, in terms of the product. It is really great for us.”
Lettuce season generally occurs from May to October, and lettuce production from the farm is not only beneficial during the wintertime. Ronald Goldy, a vegetable educator at Michigan State University Extension, said the hardest time for traditional farmers to grow lettuce is in the summer.
“Lettuce doesn’t like it hot because it goes to seed quickly and gets bitter tasting under hot conditions,” he said. “So, aquaponics farming is good during the summer season, also.”
Along with the seasonal benefits for aquaponics, Roger Betz, farm business management educator at MSU Extension, said aquaponics can lower the risk of bacteria, like E. coli and salmonella, that is plaguing the lettuce industry across the country, including Michigan.
“It is a very controlled biosystem, so diseases will be under control, detained and so forth,” he said. “Diseases will have limited access as opposed to the outdoor terrain.”
The packaged and prepared salad industry has a market value of $12 billion, and by 2025, the industry is estimated to be valued at $21 billion, according to Revolution Farms.
The farm is a $3.3-million project that was partially funded by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development through a $50,000 performance-based grant. Along with the construction of the aquaponics farm, there is a 35,000-square-foot warehouse on-site.
Danielle Nelson
Danielle Nelson is a Grand Rapids Business Journal staff reporter who covers law, startups, agriculture, sports, marketing, PR and advertising and arts and entertainment. She is also the staff researcher who compiles the weekly lists. Email Danielle at dnelson at grbj dot com. Follow her on Twitter @Dan_Nels