commercial aquaponics - Aquaponic Gardening2024-03-28T16:25:16Zhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/forum/topics/commercial-aquaponics-1?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A351375&feed=yes&xn_auth=nohere too we have a place that…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-06-18:4778851:Comment:3517902012-06-18T11:21:03.216ZDamon Poltahttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DamonPolta
<p>here too we have a place that specializes in selling produce to restaurants, chef's garden is a pretty big deal, but it's hardly selling locally.</p>
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<p>while it's a nice ideology, the whole sell locally to save the country concept, we've strayed too far for it to work without consequence to the economy. take a walk through your house and see if you can go through everything and try and get past 5% of the things you own / eat actually come from within just a few thousand miles away,…</p>
<p>here too we have a place that specializes in selling produce to restaurants, chef's garden is a pretty big deal, but it's hardly selling locally.</p>
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<p>while it's a nice ideology, the whole sell locally to save the country concept, we've strayed too far for it to work without consequence to the economy. take a walk through your house and see if you can go through everything and try and get past 5% of the things you own / eat actually come from within just a few thousand miles away, let alone close enough to be classified as locally.im not trying to be a donald downer here... just a realist... and again, what about the areas of the united states where people just don't bother with it? while it is nice to be able to talk to the farmer that provides the fod you eat, most of the produce bought around here comes from the grocer, which is stocked by food suppliers, which has the produce shipped in from every corner of the globe. and even at the cut rate price of shipping in the food from everywhere else but here, most people in the region can't afford to spend the extra money on Organic... we're celebrating the fact that our unemployment percentage just fall back into the single digits for the first time since the 80's.</p>
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<p>it is good business sense to make money where you can by doing extra work, but building is not the same as farming... on your tour of the hawaiian aquaponiics farm did you happen to stop at friendly aquaponics? their fairly large acreage of aquaponics was beginning to scratch the surface of commercialism. they were producing a product that, when labor was added, still provided a marginal profit. did they do lessons and build farms for extra money? yep, but the main question were those extra hours necessary for the survival of the farm? just their product sales was enough and a bit more to sustain itself and the people running it.</p>
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<p>i think there being a specific number to provide for might even be a false concept.. yes, small business and big business are both business, but when you're selling the idea of a business and calling it commercial, and what people are getting is a marginally adequate hobby that's in need of supplement income to survive... you're just giving them a small scale personally subsidized hobby farm... it's sad that the tri-croppers need government funding to survive because it is now cost-ineffective to grow corn, wheat and soy, the basic staples of our daily diet these days, at least a third party is picking up their tab with subsidies. </p>
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<p>so, to an extent i do agree with some of the naysayers that only a few aquaponic farms have actually reached an actual, not idealized, commercial level where the sales of building and collecting from satellite farms or selling knowledge wasn't a part of the farms survival, though there is a difference between survival and profitability, which is would those farms still survive without having to supplement income with technically unrelated revenue streams from the growing of food... where i differ from the naysayers is that commercialism is possible on the scale of not needing extra income, because i've seen a farm stand on it's own two feet with slim profits, which means it not only provided to run itself, but make extra money. now if an aquaponic farm of large scale could be built and managed to provide not only for itself and the jobs it provides but also the profiteer without them having to labor, then that's what i'd consider commercialized. i've seen it work, and with a bit more product diversity could have done worlds better, so it is possible... but what im currently seeing is more money being made by selling the dream, rather that living it.</p>
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<p>and i'm quite aware of the benefits of buying local... but if we all only bought local products, even in just the realm of food, people in arizona would have a hard time finding milk and people in ohio would never taste oranges... it's a pretty idea and looks good on the surface... but it's fundamentally flawed... and really that concept is only sustainable in the places that practice it most... the reason it hasn't stuck to the midwest is because if we all switched to local produce only we'd starve in the winter. if we all switched to the concept of buying all things locally, the computers we are communicating through would be too expensive to afford due to all of the middle men... the quest for cheep products pursued by fickle shoppers has led to the demise of small business, big business just provided the solution.</p>
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<p></p> By the way GOOGLE Cabbage Hil…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-06-18:4778851:Comment:3517872012-06-18T08:46:00.653ZRaychel A Watkinshttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RaychelAWatkins
<p>By the way GOOGLE Cabbage Hill farms and let them tell you the 10 reasons to by local. If we are local we are likely to be small also. Small means our food will be much fresher</p>
<p>By the way GOOGLE Cabbage Hill farms and let them tell you the 10 reasons to by local. If we are local we are likely to be small also. Small means our food will be much fresher</p> Damon do you have a number th…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-06-18:4778851:Comment:3517832012-06-18T08:19:48.332ZRaychel A Watkinshttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RaychelAWatkins
<p>Damon do you have a number that will qualify for a commercial farm. I grew up in Iowa on a family farm. In the beginning we were considered commercial as we raised seed corn for the big companies. We were only 190 acres. The "commercial farms that ran us all out are huge now thousands of acres. This has become our destruction. We no longer get food produced for us or near us. We import from places that I would doubt their practices. Just because we do not sell things in a grocery…</p>
<p>Damon do you have a number that will qualify for a commercial farm. I grew up in Iowa on a family farm. In the beginning we were considered commercial as we raised seed corn for the big companies. We were only 190 acres. The "commercial farms that ran us all out are huge now thousands of acres. This has become our destruction. We no longer get food produced for us or near us. We import from places that I would doubt their practices. Just because we do not sell things in a grocery store does not make us non commercial. Our misson is to provide healthy food for people wether it be for ourselves or for the community. I would rather buy my food from a farm that I can visit and i know how they grew the food. I consider that farm commercial. Many of our commercial local dirt farmers (small) do not sell their produce to grocery stores but sell out to resturants because their food is so fresh and if they are organic that is even better.</p>
<p>I went to 2 farms on the Big Island I would consider commercial and one is Chris Smiths. It doesn't matter that he doesn't make his complete living by selling produce. If you check out small farms in the midwest they often have to work in town to supplement their income. I don't want a 3000 acre aquaponic farm with thousands of people working there. By the way what is wrong with making systems and selling them to people who don't want to make their own. This is the American way. What is wrong with teaching people about aquaponics even if you don't consider them experts. My farther taught me farming and he never went to school to learn it. </p>
<p>I just gave a class on making small systems for 15 different schools. The teachers and students came to learn. Those systems will go to 15 different schools and many will see and get excited. Is that not commercial. We are a fledgling industry and I don't think our farms will be the size you think qualify for "commercial". I think that is wonderful because we will know where our food came from and we will know it is fresh. </p>
<p>What about farms like Cabbage Hill on the east coast or S&S in Missouri. These people have to be considered commercial. What ever we have to do on our farm to make a living is not wrong, its smart. We are providing a service to people and if they are happy with us that is what is important. We must hold fast to our mission to grow healthy food and to share with others how to do it even if we make the system for the,</p>
<p><strong>GROW ON AQUAPONS</strong></p>
<p>As far as the snow shovel analogy you both are commercial you are a small business and the plow is a big business.</p> to be truly a commercial farm…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-06-18:4778851:Comment:3517762012-06-18T06:24:59.809ZDamon Poltahttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/DamonPolta
<p>to be truly a commercial farm, that is to say providing profit only by the sales of produce on a large scale, seems a bit out of reach in the first world unless either a few advancements are made, a giant surge in demand for organic produce at the national level occurs, water becomes so scare that current methods of AG will be force to convert to an aquaponic / hydoponic type recirculating system, or the federal minimum wage base needs to fall out...</p>
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<p>now granted the term…</p>
<p>to be truly a commercial farm, that is to say providing profit only by the sales of produce on a large scale, seems a bit out of reach in the first world unless either a few advancements are made, a giant surge in demand for organic produce at the national level occurs, water becomes so scare that current methods of AG will be force to convert to an aquaponic / hydoponic type recirculating system, or the federal minimum wage base needs to fall out...</p>
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<p>now granted the term "large scale" is up for debate as to what actually constitutes a large number of people... a moderately sized system run by 2-3 profiteers out of their back yard selling to about 50 people might seem like a large scale operation to some, but it's a far cry from commercialism... it's more of a profitable hobbyist... like those guys that make chainsaw wood carvings. to hit a scale where vendors or large markets are involved, the cost of production needs to be managed a bit more tightly... and really a farm where the owners don't have to operate the system themselves has yet to be seen... this is to say where the profit margins are large enough to afford a labor force.</p>
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<p>take for example where i live here in the midwestern united states. the term organic is largely laughed at in most towns... yes, cleveland, chicago, an Cincinnati folk may have heard and applaud organic produce in larger numbers, but in large, we're a "red meat" and fast food society... so organic produce won't sell any different than the cheaper variety. i live 20 minutes from the great lakes (the largest fresh water supply), and the federal minimum wage is almost up to $8 an hour... that is unless you contract the foreign exchange students or use the immigrants... now take all of that and add in the fact that it's either too hot for most food production without it being a GMO or too cold for any plants to survive for over half of the year combined... and you have yourself an impossible market to get into using aquaponics.</p>
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<p>now take the south west, where water is a bit short on supply, the weather is a bit more stable, the organic craze has had time to set in, and questionable labor comes in dirt cheep, and you may have yourself a place where commercial aquaponics might be able to take hold... that is until immigration coms knocking on the door...</p>
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<p>i guess first before we can start to ask if aquaponic commercialism is viable in the first world nations, we must first actually define what "commercialism" actually means... if it's hitting up the farmers market, then yes, there are a few examples of aquapons doing this currently nationwide, but if the definition of commercialism is to make it into the grocery stores where food sanitation is not only assured but guaranteed... the answer is there was only one farm to do this (to my current knowledge) and sadly it's no longer doing this. i think we should first define at what level does one's farm actually reach "commercial" scale... because if i go around and charge people $10 to clear the snow from their driveways i would by definition be labeled a professional snow removal technician since it's paying to do the job, but everyone else would just call me a dude with a shovel... but if i had a snow plow, then it'd be a different story.</p> Cool Raychel! Thanks for sha…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-06-17:4778851:Comment:3519172012-06-17T21:33:16.262ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
<p>Cool Raychel! Thanks for sharing your experiences on that.</p>
<p>Cool Raychel! Thanks for sharing your experiences on that.</p> I just finished writing a log…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-06-17:4778851:Comment:3518212012-06-17T20:44:36.696ZRaychel A Watkinshttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/RaychelAWatkins
<p>I just finished writing a log reply and the system ate it. I wish there was a way to retrieve things like that. I was trying to say that Kirsten Udd and I just returned from a find the aquaponic systems on the Big Island trip. We set out to visit as many systems as we could. Glen had given us names, Chris Smith threw in a few and we had searched the site. We found a few commercial sites that considered were doing well. Chris of Coastview Aquaponics is an amazing man with an amazing…</p>
<p>I just finished writing a log reply and the system ate it. I wish there was a way to retrieve things like that. I was trying to say that Kirsten Udd and I just returned from a find the aquaponic systems on the Big Island trip. We set out to visit as many systems as we could. Glen had given us names, Chris Smith threw in a few and we had searched the site. We found a few commercial sites that considered were doing well. Chris of Coastview Aquaponics is an amazing man with an amazing farm. It sets high above the airport overlooking the most beautiful ocean in the World. He gave us the grand tour. His area is small but just like Sahib in Florida has made very efficent use of every inch. He is selling produce as fast as he can produce it and what wonderful produce it is. Everything is for sale except his carrots they belong to his daughter. We managed to sneak one off the farm and eat it. It was wonderful. His celery is unbelievable and so tastey. He has evolved into his niche of selling to the community and buy they do. He is very versatile. If someone wants him to build a system he will. If they want instruction he gives it. He gives tours every Saturday. Yes I would say he is very successfull. </p>
<p>We went to another farm further down the coast and he was as cordial as Chris and showed us all around and explained what he was doing. His place was very impressive. His produce was impecable. He also was very economical in the way he built thing.</p>
<p>We went to a Place called University of the nations. Even though they are not commercial they have much to share. As they are a missionary educational campus they teach hunderds on how to grow healthy food economical using materials that they have or can scrounge up. (you know that is my cause) The have a very viable aquaponic system that is dquite impressive. I came away with many ideas.</p>
<p>These are just 3 of the wonderful places we visited. We spent 3 days traveling around and drove 436 miles. We paid for our gas with a $100 gas card we got for teaching the class I wrote about in my last blog.</p>
<p>TC was right when she said that these people are to busy to spend time on line but you can find them if you search enough. We did and we came back home with a wealth of information. Mahalo all you aquapons out there commercial, educational, backyar, or just having fun. Keep at it</p> Thanks Sylvia! I will try to…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-06-17:4778851:Comment:3513752012-06-17T15:06:19.379ZPaul Westberghttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/PaulWestberg
<p>Thanks Sylvia! I will try to get the time off and head east for this. Love the Shaka! <br></br> <br></br> <cite>Sylvia Bernstein said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/commercial-aquaponics-1?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A350991&xg_source=activity#4778851Comment349330"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>LOL - Hi Paul...I'm listening.<img src="http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad93/ucsycybersmiley/101.gif"></img> </p>
<p>Actually the Green Acres Team is planning a "western" training just north of Denver at Flourish Farms…</p>
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<p>Thanks Sylvia! I will try to get the time off and head east for this. Love the Shaka! <br/> <br/> <cite>Sylvia Bernstein said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://aquaponicscommunity.com/forum/topics/commercial-aquaponics-1?commentId=4778851%3AComment%3A350991&xg_source=activity#4778851Comment349330"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>LOL - Hi Paul...I'm listening.<img src="http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad93/ucsycybersmiley/101.gif"/> </p>
<p>Actually the Green Acres Team is planning a "western" training just north of Denver at Flourish Farms with JD Sawyer of Colorado Aquaponics. We are really excited about adding JD because he has experience both with commercial aquaponics with Flourish, and with teaching and consulting the past few years with Colorado Aquaponics. The two sessions will be held the end of Oct and the beginning of November. Here is the link for more info - <a href="http://www.theaquaponicstore.com/Green-Acre-s-Aquaponic-Farming-The-Complete-Course-p/iwsas012-oct12.htm">http://www.theaquaponicstore.com/Green-Acre-s-Aquaponic-Farming-The...</a></p>
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</blockquote> Hey Paul. I think you will be…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-06-16:4778851:Comment:3509912012-06-16T14:53:29.348ZChris Megisonhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/ChrisMegison
Hey Paul. I think you will be pleasantly surprised when you see our first phase built out. We have great people involved, solid leadership and world class companies like BumbleBee Foods, TaylorMade Golf and Datron World Communications that believe in us to the extent that they are investing significantly into our efforts.<br />
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We have an "Impact Drives Income" mindset. Everything we do is about discovering, activating and delivering solutions to people and communities who find themselves in tough…
Hey Paul. I think you will be pleasantly surprised when you see our first phase built out. We have great people involved, solid leadership and world class companies like BumbleBee Foods, TaylorMade Golf and Datron World Communications that believe in us to the extent that they are investing significantly into our efforts.<br />
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We have an "Impact Drives Income" mindset. Everything we do is about discovering, activating and delivering solutions to people and communities who find themselves in tough situations (thus our name: Solutions for Change). We focus on being the best we can be in service to others and the rest takes care of itself. We are now applying this energy and impact into our Solutions Farms aquaponic venture. We look forward to sharing our impact with the AP community and for the opportunity to serve others in this effort, including our new AP friends. LOL - Hi Paul...I'm listening…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-06-12:4778851:Comment:3493302012-06-12T16:50:04.910ZSylvia Bernsteinhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/SylviaBernstein
<p>LOL - Hi Paul...I'm listening.<img src="http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad93/ucsycybersmiley/101.gif"></img> </p>
<p>Actually the Green Acres Team is planning a "western" training just north of Denver at Flourish Farms with JD Sawyer of Colorado Aquaponics. We are really excited about adding JD because he has experience both with commercial aquaponics with Flourish, and with teaching and consulting the past few years with Colorado Aquaponics. The two sessions will be held the end of Oct and the beginning of November. Here is the link for more info - …</p>
<p>LOL - Hi Paul...I'm listening.<img src="http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/ad93/ucsycybersmiley/101.gif"/> </p>
<p>Actually the Green Acres Team is planning a "western" training just north of Denver at Flourish Farms with JD Sawyer of Colorado Aquaponics. We are really excited about adding JD because he has experience both with commercial aquaponics with Flourish, and with teaching and consulting the past few years with Colorado Aquaponics. The two sessions will be held the end of Oct and the beginning of November. Here is the link for more info - <a href="http://www.theaquaponicstore.com/Green-Acre-s-Aquaponic-Farming-The-Complete-Course-p/iwsas012-oct12.htm">http://www.theaquaponicstore.com/Green-Acre-s-Aquaponic-Farming-The-Complete-Course-p/iwsas012-oct12.htm</a></p> There are very few Commercial…tag:aquaponicgardening.ning.com,2012-06-09:4778851:Comment:3479102012-06-09T03:31:03.465ZTCLynxhttps://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profile/TCLynx
<p>There are very few Commercial Aquaponics operations that actually have time to be active online. I know there are several more aquaponics farms than are well known online.</p>
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<p>Friendly Aquaponics and Green Acres Aquaponics are the two most well known here on this site.</p>
<p>There are very few Commercial Aquaponics operations that actually have time to be active online. I know there are several more aquaponics farms than are well known online.</p>
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<p>Friendly Aquaponics and Green Acres Aquaponics are the two most well known here on this site.</p>