Newbie here, dreaming BIG!!!

[Jonathan Johnson]

A little history about myself, I was born and raised in a small town in the state of Georgia. After high school, I joined the Marines (13 years now). I was trained in hydraulics, fiberglass, and metal repairs for basic training on helicopters. I did a couple of years as a recruiter. I have since moved up to more of a management level for the past 5 years dealing about 12-14 helicopters and 150 maintainers.

About three weeks ago, I went to a class the military offers to everyone who is getting out of the service.  One of the classes was about owning your own business. It was very short and left me with questions and ideas. Like, how I would really love to work for myself and only have one boss (the wife) compared to many I have had in past.

Google up! What kind of business can I start with the help of the VA? I looked at many with little interest until I came upon aquaponics, which knocked me for a loop with all the ideas it brings. I looked at some other business ideas just to cover the basis of not leaving a stone unturned. I came to the conclusion really quick that nothing else was grabbing at me like aquaponics did.

So, my mind is made up to getting in the business of organic foods with aquaponics as the main source with helping support of other organic farming ideas.

Things I bring to the table:

- A bit of mechanic skills

- A bit of sale experience

- A bit of management knowledge

- Most importantly 2 hands, 2 feet, and a pair of jeans, like every other successful person puts on just like me

Things I need at the table:

- A business plan

- Land

- Funds

- Support of knowledge, experience, and the assistants of other Americans with big hearts to help one another

Any comments you can think of to help me reach my dream will be greatly appreciated. Please, don’t hold and questions or comments back. You learn from the good and the bad.

[Rave]

I like the idea of filling up cargo containers with water (some of them are water tight/insulated) then build green-house or poly-tunnel over them... how much water could them things hold?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ginosmit/5872908482/

[Jonathan Johnson]

I have no idea. I worked out of one of this in Iraq and I can't imagine one hold water without leaking.

Rave said:

I like the idea of filling up cargo containers with water (some of them are water tight/insulated) then build green-house or poly-tunnel over them... how much water could them things hold?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ginosmit/5872908482/

[RW]

check out: http://www.continental-organics.com/

[Patti Taylor]

Look at http://www.koiphen.com/forums/showthread.php?63850-DIY-amp-MODs-%28... D-Dog.Lots of great info on filters and pond construction.

[Jonathan Johnson]

Thanks for this link. They should be able to help me out on the business side dealing with the VA.

RW said:

check out: http://www.continental-organics.com/

[Jonathan Johnson]

Thanks, any help is always good help. [e-mail] or [e-mail]

Dave Weekz said:

Brother!!!!!! Semper Fi!

Congrats on making it out with all your parts.
I'm here in Houston,TX.  I'm attending The community
College and majoring in Horticulture.

I think I have some resources for you that will solve most of your 
Problems. You would be surprised how much federal help
Is out there for beginning farmers. It's a lot to write about 
But let's exchange numbers or emails so I can give you a 
Proper pass down lol.

[Chris]

I am just finishing up school as well and would be extremelly interested in your resources for federal help for beginning farmers.

Dave Weekz said:

Brother!!!!!! Semper Fi!

Congrats on making it out with all your parts.
I'm here in Houston,TX.  I'm attending The community
College and majoring in Horticulture.

I think I have some resources for you that will solve most of your 
Problems. You would be surprised how much federal help
Is out there for beginning farmers. It's a lot to write about 
But let's exchange numbers or emails so I can give you a 
Proper pass down lol.

[Esther Nagle]

really?  That still exists???

wow, that's interesting..... I live in Wales, and have just discoveredd aquaponics, want to promote it to boost community resilience in tough economic and environmental times - south wales valleys towns are really in trouble, aquaponics, and promoting low impact, local food production could just be the way we can survive!!

Rave said:

In the UK there's a law that go's back to WW2, you know... 'grow for your country' if you can get 6 people to sign up, the council are obliged to give you land to grow food on for free, not sure if there's anything like it in America? 'old' people, farmers or just people that don't like to look after a garden - sometimes offer land share/ to people that want to grow stuff, try the internet for a 'scheme' in your area!

Your 'fibreglass' skills will be very handy: google/you tube - wood fish tanks

also try google warehouse for idea's (aquaponics IBC tanks are good key words) you need google sketchup to view/draw models... It's very basic/free to use for a rough idea how you want to set up tanks/grow beds/poly-tunnel (would look impressive on a business plan)

here's a good example: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=cc0f4b9b7103917b...

A old man told me he grew 1,000,000 leaks last year on a large allotment, he sold them to local supermarkets for 10p each... this has given me a lot of inspiration... he also told me I did as much work in one day as most of the guys do in a week...!!! hahaha