Aquaponics Company Offers Everything But The Fish

Aquaponics Company Offers Everything But The Fish CROPS New Techniques Nelson and Pade N&P is a one-stop shop for aquaponics offering equipment supplies hands-on training and how-to books and consultation The only things needed are fish for the tanks and seeds for the floating beds The company’s systems and training are geared for all sizes of operations from family size to commercial Lora Ginter and her husband Ed ran into N&P equipment and training while on a mission trip to Haiti “We trained with them there and the program was very professional ” recalls Ginter “They started simple hit the basics and then got deeper day by day ” Ginter liked the fact that the training didn’t paint rosy pictures but talked about the challenges of running this type of business The couple liked their experience well enough that when they returned to their home near Lexington Ky they ordered a Clear Flow aquaponics system from N&P “We looked online for the components and we couldn’t do better than N&P especially considering their expertise ” says Ginter “It’s good to know we have almost 30 years of experience in controlled environment agriculture just a phone call away ” With the help of friends the Ginters did most of the work putting up a commercial scale greenhouse recommended by N&P The aquaponics firm helped finish the job and then held a regional workshop on-site “We put our first fish in the tank in July and the crops and fish are growing well ” says Ginter “The class prepared us and their books provided more answers We are learning as we go So far it’s going well ” The Ginters tackled both aquaponics and market gardening at the same time Under the business name Bluegrass Aquaponics they are marketing fish and produce to customers in the Lexington area Alice Hill didn’t move as fast as the Ginters She took the class planning to produce fish and winter salad greens for her family and friends They would also be served to guests of Beaver Creek Ranch the hunting lodge run by Hill and her husband Jeff It was another 3 years before construction of a small greenhouse began and Hill ordered a Clear Flow system It was 6 more months before she had the system set up and running “The class is great preparation for anyone new to the field and would be wonderful for someone with a hobby background ” says Hill “I was able to clearly identify what I wanted from an aquaponics system based on marketing dynamics start-up costs and time required to manage it ” In the intervening 3 years Hill studied a book and newsletters authored by N&P co-founder Rebecca Nelson Nelson and John Pade have been studying designing and building aquaponics systems for more than 20 years The first fish went into the system in early spring 2013 While Hill changed her mind about harvesting the fish she kept them for the fertilizer they produced Soon she expanded far beyond salad greens “This winter I have many types of lettuce kale and chard growing there ” says Hill “I also have a lemon tree in full bloom 4 types of figs a fruiting tomato 4 types of peppers fruiting and 3 blueberry bushes coming out of dormancy ” Hill also has grown Chinese greens strawberries and cucumbers and used the fertile water to start transplants for outdoor gardens Not all the plants are hooked directly to the aquaponics flow but they all benefit from the nutrient rich water produced by the system Hill admits she has had problems with pests and a power outage However N&P has been quick to respond with advice “They are always there to assist and give great suggestions ” she says “I think of the staff as friends I can count on They take great pride in everything they do ” There are a few things Hill would do differently She advises adding a nursery tank so fish are large enough to produce needed nutrients when starting up the greenhouse Using fish fry available to purchase delays full production she noted She would also have allowed for more shut-off valves to make changing the pump easier as well as allowing for expansion of the media-filled tubs and to tie in a fodder system “This could all have been done easily if I had thought it through prior to the completion of the system ” she says “Once the system was set up and ready for fish I found it to be just as simple as was demonstrated in the class Every morning I would go out to the greenhouse expecting a disaster but I only had small hurdles to jump the first year ” N&P offers farm market and commercial systems with multiple tanks for staggered fish harvest Farm market systems start at $35 400 and are sized for greenhouses from 2 600 sq ft to 5 700 sq ft Commercial systems start at $63 395 for a 6 000 sq ft greenhouse Clear Flow systems sized for homes and schools start at $2 995 for a 300 sq ft greenhouse Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Bluegrass Aquaponics; 3465 Old Frankfort Pike; Versailles Ky 40383 ph 859 806-2696; lora@bluegrassaquaponics net or Alice Hill 11503 Beaver Creek Rd Atwood Kan 67730 ph 785 538-2363; ah fullcircle@gmail com; www fullcircleaquaponics info

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