Aquaponics is currently front and center in the realm of sustainable agriculture practices. Efficiently raising fish and plants in a recirculating system is a direct response to our need to choose a better way of growing what we eat; better for us and better for the envivonment. At the Aquaponic Farming Course, we are farmers and business owners and we’ve dialed in how to do this. Watch the video and see how aquaponics is used to grow food “the green way” and then join us to learn how to do it.
Included with the course is The Complete Aquaponics Guide—over 200 pages of aquaponic basics, system start up, cycling, plant and fish management, insect and disease control, water quality, 30 pages of construction drawings and material/vendor lists to construct a farm system. Plus design drawings and step by step instructions for the Green Acre HomeHybrid.
Co-Founder & Managing Director,
Fresh Harvest Farm
As Managing Director, Jeni guides the farm business while also managing the farm’s marketing, food safety and administration. She also develops the farm’s aquaponic education program.
Co-Founder & Farm Manager,
Fresh Harvest Farm
As co-founder and the farm’s manager, Doug manages all aspects of the farm’s daily operations from fish to plants and maintenance and pests.
Registration/Student Check In
Class welcome and introduction
Aquaponic Hybrid Systems and Design – this in depth session reviews aquaponic system types, hybrid design and system flow, component selection and aeration and closes with a system construction overview
Production and Operating Costs – this session walks through assessing a local market, pre-farm planning and production development. Learn how to structure your build to satisfy your market demand and production goals
Lunch and student introductions
Hands On Farm Session 1 – Farm Systems Overview/Construction Build Overview
Farm Management, Operations and Costs – how many hats might you wear in managing your small farm business? Look at the daily operations and what it takes to manage a farm business, from plants and fish to chefs
Fish Husbandry, System Start Up and Cycling – here students learn fish management essentials and how to apply aquaponic cycling and start up theory to the aquaponic farm model, including how to plan for and manage your initial fish and plant inputs
Farm Marketing and Sales – explore how ‘tribe marketing’ and social media can be essential keys to a successful farm marketing plan and learn how to develop and grow restaurant, market and retail sales
Lunch
Hands On Farm Session 2 – Hands On Plants and Pests
See the full 3 day curriculum here.