What is an Aquaponic farm?
An aquaponic farm is a system that interconnects several different types of life in order to build a thriving farm. Our system is a looped waterway that has two pools of fish connected to several troughs of plants suspending in water. The fish waste acts as fertilizer for the plants, which in turn help oxygenated the water for the fish. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are added to aid the plants in absorbing nutrients. This method of farming is soil-free and very sustainable. Both the fish and the produce are harvested and sold to collect a profit.
Why is Aquaponic produce better?
Aquaponic farms yield superior produce when compared to other farming methods. The farm is a natural ecosystem involving fish, plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Pesticides, herbicides and other toxins are never used in the system. Aquaponic farming is also much more sustainable than soil based farming.
What type of fish do we have/ how many fish/what sizes?
We have 500 channel catfish sizes range from 6in. to 10in. And they are starting to reproduce. We also have about 25 to 30 koi fish they are all small about 6in. to 7 in. And they are also reproducing. We feed the fish 3 times a day about half a cup for the koi and a full cup for the catfish. After about a month of being in the tanks we have learned that the catfish stay together in one big group. The koi swim all around and do not stay in groups.
How do the solar panels work?
When completed, the farm will run on solar power exclusively. Six solar panels will be operating the system, powering four 6-volt deep cycle batteries. These batteries keep the oxygen pump, the water pump and the filter running day and night. The solar arrays allow the farm to operate without leaving any carbon footprint. Photovoltaic cells are made of special materials called semiconductors such as silicon, which is currently used most commonly. When light strikes the cell, a certain portion of it is absorbed within the semiconductor. The energy knocks electrons loose, allowing them to flow. The flow of electrons is the current that charges the batteries.
When completed, the farm will run on solar power exclusively. Six solar panels will be operating the system, powering four 6-volt deep cycle batteries. These batteries keep the oxygen pump, the water pump and the filter running day and night. The solar arrays allow the farm to operate without leaving any carbon footprint. Photovoltaic cells are made of special materials called semiconductors such as silicon, which is currently used most commonly. When light strikes the cell, a certain portion of it is absorbed within the semiconductor. The energy knocks electrons loose, allowing them to flow. The flow of electrons is the current that charges the batteries.
From the Jacksonville Times-Union:
Private Jacksonville school opens its own organic fish and produce farm
The farm uses fish waste to fertilize plants and vegetables.
May 24, 2012 – 03:24amAs grand openings go, every thing went swimmingly Tuesday as The Foundation Academy unveiled its Aquaponic Farm, which students hope will hook restaurants and residents on their organic fish and produce.
Self-sustaining with solar power, the working aquaponic farm is the first of its kind in Northeast Florida on a school campus. It is stocked with about 900 channel catfish and about 75 koi, ranging from about 3 to 10 inches long. The fish live and work in separate tanks close to the vegetables and herbs they’re helping grow at the arts-based private school, which has about 240 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
“The fish are multi-functional. We’re selling them and they also fertilize the plants,” Zach Kuipers, 17, said.
He is among the high school students running the farm as part of its Entrepreneur class. The students researched and developed a business plan, and with the help of staff built the farm, including the installation of the solar panels to reduce its carbon footprint. In addition to setting up the farm, the students are responsible for maintaining it and tending the crops.
“We built the solar panels so we can get rid of the generators. We have auto-feeders for the fish,” Tyler Thomas, 14, said, smiling with pride as he explained the farm’s operations.
They spent hours out in the field hoping to reel in customers. The students are marketing their fish and produce to local restaurateurs and others including businesses. They also have been signing up individual customers. The farm is starting out with about 2,400 vegetable and herb plants.
All organic, their first crop is vine tomatoes, yellow cherry tomatoes, red grape tomatoes and “a huge supply of basil,” Kuipers said.
“Our business is based on what people asked us for. We found out a lot of businesses want mint so we’re definitely going to be planting that next,” he said.
The water from the fish culture is used to fertilize the plants. The fish, produce and herbs all are grown in a closed recirculating system so that all of the nutrients — from the fish excrement — are used and no waste is released into the environment. No pesticides or engineered fertilizers are used, the students said.
The farm’s first full harvest is expected in October, which is when the students expect to begin selling the produce.
Principal Nadia Hionides said a portion of every harvest will be donated to Second Harvest, Beaches Community Kitchen and Mission House.
The school also has organic gardens on its 23-acre campus on San Pablo Road South, where the students learn not only to help take care of the planet but also a life skill in growing their own food, she said.
Mayor Alvin Brown lauded the students when he visited the academy in April.
The farm represents about a $15,000 investment, provided by the school’s donors, Hionides said.
And what is the hardest part?
“Waiting for the plants to grow so we can harvest them,” said 16-year-old Caleb Hargrove.
teresa.stepzinski@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4075
Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-05-24/story/private-jacksonville-school-opens-its-own-organic-fish-and-produce-farm#ixzz1vnKmFgzz
