Commercial systems

[Sylvia Bernstein]

Are you interested in growing commercially?  Do you already grow commercially?  This is the place for exchanging ideas and experiences, and making new contacts in commercial aquaponic agriculture

 

You might also consider joining the Commercial Aquaponics discussion group for lots more information and discussion

[TCLynx]

A++ to you Sylvia about #8

[Sahib Punjabi]

Ditto Sylvia to the grade TCLynx gives:-)

I also like all the other points but love your comment re "Given my background I'm vastly more comfortable with backyard systems and helping people successfully start aquaponics in their homes. I love to teach, write, and promote -"...help people back to nature to become somewhat self sustained while conserving water and eating healthy :-)



TCLynx said:

A++ to you Sylvia about #8

[Two Jay]

Kobus, Your list is our a large part of our marketing plan.

1. We do not plan on going into ornamental fish yet other than maybe for the demonstration systems.

2. Seedling are inexpensive to get into, fairly quick turnover, etc. In our area, there is no one selling organic or heirloom seedlings, both of which we hope to capitalize on. Plus, what doesn't sell can either be composted, fed to the fish or put into your own gardens or AP system. Sprouts, different than seedlings, we are also planning on providing. Currently the sprouts available in our local stores are not organic nor are they locally grown. We are researching how to properly grow sprouts, seems they have some issues with mold and such. Side note, has anyone thought of growing sprouts for fish food? They grow fast with quick turnover, the nutrient value is quite favorable and fairly easy.

3.We are planting many beds of cut flowers, started this spring actually, that will be in the dirt. Once we get a handle of our market, different for us than the veggies and fish, we will build a few poly tunnels to grow out the flowers. Similar to veggies, timing is everything - get there before your competition. One note on the poly tunnels, they can help the flowers grow a taller stem, if starved a bit for light, this is a more desirable trait for the flower markets. There are many great publications for cut flowers.

4. Regarding live plants, we have purchased around 1500's small and large pots from a greenhouse that went out of business. Some of these will be planted and kept in the greenhouse to take advantage of the vertical spaces while other pots will be used to sell the live plants. Again, like the seedlings, if they don't sell, you can always use them yourself.

5. Some other thoughts we have kicked around. A. Fish tea - possibly a homebrew of fish tea could be bottled and sold for organic fertilizer? B. Feeder fish for aquariums. C. Fish stock for other AP systems. D. Bait fish - we are working with a university on this on. Typically in MI the bait fish are wild caught locally or shipped in from other states. There are currently no Aquaculture facilities in the state for farm raised bait fish.

I have more funky ideas, keep sharing, this is great stuff!

6. Feeder fish for aquariums

[Two Jay]

Sahib,

I didn't forget, I have a list of current organic wholesaleish prices from our food coop distributor, but it is really really long. I am shortening the list and will somehow share with everyone... maybe a spreadsheet or something. Prices are good for MI, IL and OH areas.

Food Coops are a great way to sell your produce, products and services, at one time we were providing organic eggs, whole and quartered chickens and of course Turkeys, to 3 different groups. I can share much more about coops if anyone is interested??

[Two Jay]

Sylvia, My daughter is at WYAM in Tyler TX... not a traditional college / school. She is there for 3 months of training and then she goes into the mission field for 2 months either overseas or stateside.

[Sahib Punjabi]

Has anyone reviewed this link and the photos. Some very good information to be learned. Great use of Solar Panels ...Also does any one know any details of the fish they are using..."Sunfish"?



Sahib Punjabi said:

Hey ! All is not lost :-)

The article does point out that "... that there have been many successes, such as Mari’s Garden in Mililani, which is poised to become the largest aquaponics farm in the country."

http://www.marisgardens.com/photo/aquaponics/





Sahib Punjabi said:

Not to dampen your dreams and vision, nut so as to keep reality in mind...especially for me :-) Aquaponics businesses grow, but profits prove hard to reap Many farmers face challenges in finding markets for their products Article by Pacific Business News (Honolulu) - by Sophie Cocke Pacific Business News original 9/24/10 modified 9/29/10

Approximatey 3,000 square feet of fine Italian basil grew on the east side of the Big Island last year with no buyer in sight.
“We couldn’t sell it — we could hardly give it away,” said Cheriess Bugado, who with her husband, Justin, began an aquaponics farm on their two-acre property in Honomu.

[David Hart]

I looked at the pictures.....pretty nice set up.
I might be wrong...maybe one of the sport fishermen may know.....but, I want to say 'sunfish' is just a general name for small game fish, that we call crappie or bream here in the south.

[Two Jay]

Sahib, I love that demonstration lettuce table. ( :

[Michelle Silva]

me too! It's beautiful. I didn't see the article that you mentioned,just the pictures.

[Michelle Silva]

Two Jay, I would be interested in the info regarding buying clubs. I run an organic veggie/fruit buying club in Florida.

[Sylvia Bernstein]

One more thought to add to your extensive idea list, Two Jay. Around here the fisheries have a big business stocking private fishing ponds - mainly trout and bass.



Two Jay said:

Kobus, Your list is our a large part of our marketing plan.

1. We do not plan on going into ornamental fish yet other than maybe for the demonstration systems.

2. Seedling are inexpensive to get into, fairly quick turnover, etc. In our area, there is no one selling organic or heirloom seedlings, both of which we hope to capitalize on. Plus, what doesn't sell can either be composted, fed to the fish or put into your own gardens or AP system. Sprouts, different than seedlings, we are also planning on providing. Currently the sprouts available in our local stores are not organic nor are they locally grown. We are researching how to properly grow sprouts, seems they have some issues with mold and such. Side note, has anyone thought of growing sprouts for fish food? They grow fast with quick turnover, the nutrient value is quite favorable and fairly easy.

3.We are planting many beds of cut flowers, started this spring actually, that will be in the dirt. Once we get a handle of our market, different for us than the veggies and fish, we will build a few poly tunnels to grow out the flowers. Similar to veggies, timing is everything - get there before your competition. One note on the poly tunnels, they can help the flowers grow a taller stem, if starved a bit for light, this is a more desirable trait for the flower markets. There are many great publications for cut flowers.

4. Regarding live plants, we have purchased around 1500's small and large pots from a greenhouse that went out of business. Some of these will be planted and kept in the greenhouse to take advantage of the vertical spaces while other pots will be used to sell the live plants. Again, like the seedlings, if they don't sell, you can always use them yourself.

5. Some other thoughts we have kicked around. A. Fish tea - possibly a homebrew of fish tea could be bottled and sold for organic fertilizer? B. Feeder fish for aquariums. C. Fish stock for other AP systems. D. Bait fish - we are working with a university on this on. Typically in MI the bait fish are wild caught locally or shipped in from other states. There are currently no Aquaculture facilities in the state for farm raised bait fish.

I have more funky ideas, keep sharing, this is great stuff!

6. Feeder fish for aquariums

[TCLynx]

Yea, stocking private farm and fishing ponds I think is the primary business or many fish farms around the country. I know the fish farms I've looked into getting stock from, that is their primary business at least.

Sylvia Bernstein said:

One more thought to add to your extensive idea list, Two Jay. Around here the fisheries have a big business stocking private fishing ponds - mainly trout and bass.