In these difficult economic times helping each other is more important than ever. The current news headlines are proclaiming not just significant increases in the price of food, but actual food shortages. Many people have already suffered the loss of their jobs, their homes and even their self-esteem. Others are now just barely making it from paycheck to paycheck. In fact, too many people now have more 'month' left over at the end of the paycheck than the other way around.
Community Aquaponics Centers can help to both feed and employ people. And not just here in Tucson, but around the world. The systems we design and perfect here in Tucson in the coming months can be set up in other parts of the US and the world that have a climate similar to ours.
Individual Aquaponics Systems can provide food for a family, with extra to be traded or sold to neighbors, or at a farmer's market.
What is Aquaponics?
Aquaponics is the growing of fish and plants together in a closed recirculating system. The fish are housed and fed in an appropriate tank and the water is circulated to growing areas for a very diverse crop of vegetables, herbs, flowers and other plants. The plants, helped by beneficial bacteria, effectively clean the water by utilizing the nutrients excreted by the fish and the clean water is then recirculated to the fish. Very little land area, water or electricity is required to operate an aquaponics system. Research from Hawaii indicates that:
* Aquaponics uses a small fraction of the water than traditional farming does.
* Aquaponics is energy-efficient: current systems use one-tenth of the energy conventional farming does.
* Aquaponics has eight to ten times more vegetable production in the same area and time.
* Aquaponics is fully scalable from indoor systems to backyard family systems to full commercial systems.
* Aquaponics is pure, clean, and natural: systems can be USDA Certified Organic and Food Safety Certified.