Making Sustainable Agriculture a Reality in Northumberland County
PRLog - Apr. 27, 2014 - COBOURG, Canada -- Waterworks Aquaponics combines sustainable fish farming (aquaculture) with organic, soil-free agriculture (hydroponics) to produce healthy food with a tiny environmental footprint. Amid the rolling hills and waterways of southern Ontario’s Northumberland County, Waterworks Aquaponics will raise fish and vegetables using a closed-loop system on four acres of land.
How It Started
Waterworks Aquaponics is the brainchild of Christine Ball, who spent the past year developing her dream – she studied the science of closed-loop farming and worked with several established aquaponics farmers in Canada and the US. With plans to break ground in the summer of 2014, Waterworks Aquaponics will raise vegetables and fish year round in a 2,400 square foot passive solar greenhouse.
Two Revenue Streams
Waterworks Aquaponics will generate revenue in two ways:
1. Produce and market healthy, locally raised food (fish, vegetables and herbs) in an environmentally responsible way
2. Share its expertise by teaching others how to build systems of their own
Next Step: Raising Capital
Waterworks Aquaponics has the land and it has the plan. Now comes the next step: raising capital. The company is in the process of securing grants and funding to make Ms. Ball’s dream a reality. With $3,513 already raised, a crowd-funding campaign launches April 20 on Kickstarter to help finance construction of this sustainable, local agricultural showpiece. The financial goal: $50,000
In addition, Corey Bennett of Organo Gold has generously offered to donate 50% of product sales to Waterworks Aquaponics if you purchase and mention our fundraiser campaign.
Aquaculture + Hydroponics = Aquaponics
Aquaponics unites aquaculture and hydroponics together in a single, cyclical system:
Good for People, Plants, Fish
This simple system uses significantly less water than traditional farming, is highly space-efficient and provides a never-ending supply of healthy food. Since waste from the fish produces ample nutrients for the vegetables, chemical fertilizers are not required. In fact, additives, pesticides, oils and soaps that find their way into ordinary agricultural practices have no place in the aquaponic system; such substances would compromise the aquatic environment and endanger the fish.
Successful Trial
Aside from its noteworthy environmental advantages, aquaponics has been proven to produce high yields. One trial carried out in Canada noted that growth rates for aquaponically raised plants exceeded hydroponic plant growth by up to four times for specific vegetables and herbs. Additionally, plant roots filter the water to support healthy growth of the fish, which are exposed to fewer pathogens than are commonly found in aquaculture systems.
To learn more:
Visit www.waterworksaquaponics.com
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April 27, 2014 at 07:52 AM EDT
