Tour a startup aquaponics facility and learn how to raise vegetables and fish together! Aquaponics, which combines traditional aquaculture (raising fish in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water), demonstrates a natural cycle between fish and plants. Come and learn the advantages of aquaponics and how it can be used as a sustainable technique for growing food on any scale. We will share on-farm research to demonstrate the economic feasibility of this system for other Iowa producers. Speakers will include representatives from Nelson & Pade (a Wisconsin-based aquaponics business/research facility) and Craig Chase, ISU Extension farm management specialist.
Discussion Topics:
-Startup: From idea to implementation—What worked well and what didn’t
-How it works: Tracing a drop of water throughout the system
-Daily maintenance
-Advantages: efficient water use, low outputs, high production, controlled environment, mimics natural system
-Economic feasibility (Craig Chase, ISU)
-Processing the fish
-Marketing and selling products
-Branding for vegetable farms

IMPORTANT: Please help us protect our plants and fish. Due to the high level of environmental control needed in the greenhouse, we kindly ask that you wear reasonably clean footwear (not caked in mud and manure) and clothes that are unlikely to have large amounts of pollen or seeds on them. Handwashing facilities are available at the greenhouse entrance.

Visit Practical Farmers of Iowa for more information.