Aquaponics Classes, Workshops and Internships

[Sylvia Bernstein]

How have the classes or workshops you've taken been?  Were you an intern for a commercial facility?

Also, check out this related forum discussion thread

[Alfred Luckerbauer]

Who has experience with Morning Star Fishermen ?  Classes and intern..any information ?

[RupertofOZ]

This whole "internship" stuff.. seems to be more often than not... a scam by most people...

[SW]

I went through their 4 day class. My Mom taught me that if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all. You can read between the lines on that. 

The lyrics to that old song come to mind; "It's sad, so sad, it's a sad, sad situation and it's getting more and more absurb!

Alfred Luckerbauer said:

Who has experience with Morning Star Fishermen ?  Classes and intern..any information ?

[Patrick McKee]

Send me a message and we can talk 407 844 3243

SW said:

I went through their 4 day class. My Mom taught me that if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all. You can read between the lines on that. 

The lyrics to that old song come to mind; "It's sad, so sad, it's a sad, sad situation and it's getting more and more absurb!

Alfred Luckerbauer said:

Who has experience with Morning Star Fishermen ?  Classes and intern..any information ?

[claude saunders]

I took a 4-hour Aquaponics 100 seminar at 312 Aquaponics in Chicago. Reasonably priced, and a great experience taking a class inside a good-sized commercial operation. Although I had already absorbed lots of the information through other sources (Sylvia's book and this community!), they still had lots of new stuff to teach me. They appear to be planning additional seminars on various topics, so I'm keeping tabs on their 312ap.com site for that.

[Patrick McKee]

Sahib's aquaponic training workshop by Urban Guru's was a GREAT starting place for folks new to aquaponics. There were hands on training systems as to how to build an aquaponic system in addition to quality classroom style presentations. The manual Sahib has put together has practical information that, if followed, will produce a productive system regardless of the type the student prefers to build.

[David Hart]

I recently attended Sahib's Aquaponics training. I really enjoyed it and thought it was a lot of info provided in the 2 days. I have to confess...I might be biased, I was one of the instructors.....along with 3 other great instructors. There was one 'special instructor'....we had a visit from one of our local doctors and he shared how it was important to eat well....live foods like we all raise in our aquaponics.
The 2 days consisted of class room and hands on training outside. I believe the training was as informative as the 'Frindlys' training I attended a few months ago. The only thing that might be better for some, is the number in the class. This one was much smaller, giving the feeling of 'one on one' training..

[Kevin]

I would like to know more.

Damon Polta said:

here we go!

 

Friendly Aquaponics... where to start..

 

my credentials.... i spent 9 months on the friendly aquaponics farm. started out with their initial "internship" program. my contract was to intern there for 3 months, whereafter completion of the 3 months period i would get a pay rate for my hours on their farm... after the first 2 months i was labled the farm manager. my name appears only in archived news letters. there you will see that i am a percentage holder of their farm. if you refer to the first sentence of this paragraph you will notice it said i was there for 9 months, so i think my account of the job, the place, and the people will be pretty accurate considering my length of time on this farm.

 

1. it is a good place to go to learn about aquaponics, if you don't mind teaching yourself.

2. it is a great place to go if you don't mind dozens of cats freely peeing on your things.

3. it is a great place to go if you dont mind being talked down to by someone that should be legally imprisoned depending on your views of "medical marijuana."

 

ok, i think i've sugar coated this enough.

 

the place, the farm, and the people are all a scam. if you dont believe me, just check out youtube and you'll find a video labled "friendly aquaponics internship scam."

 

these people are great at taking your money and giving you very little actual training. i own a commercial system manual... this will go for about $1000 on the internet. i read the book, and most of it is fluff. you can learn more by going to free sites and forums just like this if you're going to set up something yourself. if you're looking for professional help from someone that has managed a farm like this... dont go to FAP for it. they'll charge you out the rear end for their advice, and possibly get you handcuffed by the DEA... this has happened to someone that was there for a personal intensive training... i ended up finishing up his training and he offered me a spot on his project.... guess i should have taken him up on the offer.

 

so, in conclusion...

 

if you don't mind paying all of the money to fly to hawaii, have to deal with cats... and im talking lots of cats... you can also see the cats in just about any video you watch that was filmed on their farm... that many cats... and you dont mind working hard long hours with no pay, and dont mind paying the money to learn from these people and be taught very very little... if anything at all, then by all means check out friendly aquaponics.

 

but if you're expecting anything for your money other than a working vacation harvesting these peoples produce with nothing in it for you, then give these people a very very wide birth when passing.

 

to everyone else that has had a bad expirence with these people, know that you're not alone, i have a long list of past interns that has been more than disapointed with what these people promised vs. what they actually delivered.

 

and now i'll take my bow, and close the curtians.

[Kevin]

You're not going to believe this, but my mac's mouse button doesn't work. send me a message at [e-mail] and I'll respond.

[Kevin]

I can't highlight things...

Damon Polta said:

at this point kevin i have to ask you to either PM me your questions or send me an email at [e-mail] with your questions. i've been asked to keep the specific details out of the public eye... it's gets a bit messy... and i dont want to get the moderators into trouble.

[Nate Storey]

I should say that I think charging people for an internship is a little strange.  That being said, it's also a market, and if people are willing to pay for it, then why not charge?

For folks interested in internships, we do offer free internships at Bright Agrotech, with pay for labor outside of the greenhouse (i.e. office and manufacturing).  I will say that we are really selective though and typically only accept 1-2 people per offer.  We'll be accepting interns again in October.  If you're interested, email me at: [e-mail]