What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics Farm in a Box

Aquaponics is a method of gardening that utilizes relationships that exist naturally between fish and plants. Functionally it is the merging of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soil less gardening). Yet energetically the efficiencies created to producing organic vegetables and organic fish are remarkable:

• No fertilizers or organic compost required
• No pesticides to manage soil born disease
• Less labor – No weeding or soil amending, above ground cultivation.
• Minimal water use, yet plants remain continuously hydrated
• No effluent waste discharged
• Minimal energy to run systems

While aquaponics is still in its infancy, large scale operations are already in full production in Canada, Australia, Mexico, Israel and the US. The greatest body of research comes from the work of James Rakocy at the University of Virgin Islands. Domestically Growing Power in WI provides demonstrations and workshops.

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