Our not-for-profit mission is to incorporate aquaponics mini eco systems into our homes .
We see the following benefits: Healthier communities, Creation of green jobs, Generation of income, Stronger social networks, Alignment with community partners, and Highly Nutritious Organic Food for families.
Our 1,000 sq ft personal size system takes Aquaponics to the smallest workable scale with growing space for vegetables, greens and fish. A built in nursery provides for the seed raising requirements for the system. Not limited to a single crop, the system is sized to handle a mix of crops from Kale, spinach, lettuce to tomato and beans. The RAS components also showcase the possibility for high density trout production with the addition of oxygenation. Although a small system the design is capable of year round production under greenhouse fully equipped with environmental control, thermal screens, and the best materials to flourish in the northern winters.
This 2,000 sq ft medium size family Aquaponics greenhouse is truly a family oriented system. It not only provides the best performance numbers to support a family’s dietary requirements for fish and produce, but it also provides scope for a the experience of greenhouse production in its true element. Having a more diverse technological footprint including environmental control through a built in weather station, coupled with mechanized ventilation systems, this greenhouse boasts the most carbon conscious solutions for all season performance. The RAS system design allows for staggered production of medium to large fish for both smoked fillets and whole consumption, with differing growing periods.
This 5,000 sq ft ideal sustainability design has been perfected in partnership with leading passive solar greenhouse supplier CERES. This model requires no fossil fuel based heating or cooling to maintain environmental suitability. It presents the possibility of expansions as well, but owing to financial feasibility this design is presented in the 5000 sq ft scale. The solar greenhouse also features a photovoltaic array mounted on the roof for energy self-sufficiency. The model works best for off grid production, however requires the availability of a grid connection for baseline balancing the power supplied through the solar inverters. The production environment is catered to suit the thermal dynamics of the greenhouse design. The business case for this style of a system is a rather interesting one, where at least a partial commercial sale is preferred to recover the high initial investment. Although, it is possible to run the system in a self-sufficiency model, in the interest of financial justification of the initial investment it recommended to operate this system as a part commercial and part captive consumption business model. The RAS system featured does have all the industry standard technology to proliferate production that is above market standards. The ponics design certainly takes advantage of the thermal battery environment providing ideal growing conditions in the presence of LED grow lighting.
This 10,000 sq ft Co-operative system is a flagship commercial model that stands to generate a revenue of $240,000 annually with an estimated 40% profit possibility and a payback of 4.5 years. It is the perfect co-op prototype that can provide for both community engagement and/or community self-sufficiency. The system features a state of art RAS model which can produce trout consistently through the year. Additionally, it features elaborate growing techniques with the option of integrating vertical growing and microgreens as well. Crop production can be planned weekly making going to the market a consistent pattern. As for temperature control the structure goes the extra mile in utilizing technology to maintain ideal growing conditions throughout the year, coupled with LED grow lighting to maintain flourish under low light conditions as well. Commercial production of fish is also possible for localized consumption both in form of large fish as smoked fillets and plate sized fish for culinary outlets.
From Purdue University, a 15-minute introduction to recommended practices and guidelines for starting a successful Aquaponics operation.
