Knowing When to Add Iron to Your Aquaponic System

Just a couple weeks ago we experienced a somewhat harsh freeze. I know that most people’s reaction to that is ” a freeze, but aren’t you in Florida?!”  We are, however our north central location often sees the thermometer dipping into freezing temps overnight and as I often like to joke, we are nestled in the mountains of Florida after all, or as close as it gets at 220ft above sea level.  I seriously doubt that it really contributes to our colder temps when in all likelihood our little…

Food and eating for our society has evolved far beyond the need for sustenance, but instead now has a myriad of social conventions associated with it.  We share big announcements over dinner, engagements are made, careers are toasted and yearly rites of passage are commemorated.  Food consumption is not just about eating to survive any longer but instead has become a venue for entertainment and social activity.  Unfortunately though, this shift in our diet and our eating habits has…

Organic certification. It is a hot topic in the aquaponics world. Sure being certified organic has its benefits, namely commanding a higher price and the ability to use that golden word. But really, how essential and valuable is it? Is charging a higher price really worth it? Or are we as farmers just playing the bureaucratic game and feeding the machine? I think as an industry we really need to assess the value of organic certification.

Those waving the organic flag and boasting the…

Our media beds have been cranking out peppers, Heirloom tomatoes, Watermelon Radishs, Cucumbers and striped, white and Ichiban eggplant are on the way.  We love our media beds but the problem is that our delectable crops have lured in some unwelcome guests.  Some little critter or critters have discovered that we had huge, beautiful colored Bell peppers there and each night decided to help themselves to some.  To our dismay, the long awaited, over 1/2lb each yellow and red Bells were nothing…

The final week of 2011 is here and it is almost time to start singing Auld Lang Syne.  What started out as a Scottish poem in 1788 has become the anthem of New Years Eve.   Ever wondered what the heck we sing about every year at midnight of December 31st?  Well, apparently the song begins by asking whether or not old times should be forgotten and is also a reminder to remember long-standing and important friendships.  At Green Acre, we certainly do not want to forget old times and definitely…

This is the first in my new Green Acre Organics blog series at http://www.greenacreorganics.biz/blog/  However, as I was posting it here, it occurred to me that I missed a huge thank you.  I am incredibly grateful for the folks and friends I have met and made here.  There are those that keep me thinking and questioning like Kobus, Rupert and Raychel and those that almost always have something kind and supportive to say like Sahib or there…

Milwaukee - Monday morning at Sweet Water Organics.  Upon my arrival, I was struck by the artistic flair and earthy ambiance that is quintessentially Sweet Water.  From hand painted signs and colorful artwork through out, I was immediately impressed by the fact that Sweet Water was more than just a place where they grow fish and plants.  I wandered about and explored while I sought out my host, Godsil.  Upon finally encountering some monolithic work being undertaken outside, I found…

In a little over a year, we have had over 500 people visit our farm and answered countless emails and phone calls from those interested in starting a commercial aquaponic farm.  The questions are varied, from how much did it cost to start up, to how much money can you make to how many fish do I need.   Interestingly though, people often ask what we would have done differently when setting up our system or starting our business.  I never have an earth shattering answer.    There are…

Today we had one of our free farm tours which we offer on the first Saturday of every month.  It was a typical tour with people coming because they are interested in Aquaponics and what we do.  Some were brand new to AP like the one gentleman that hadn't heard of it until 3 weeks ago and now has watched every video on YouTube he can find, including ours.  I was not surprised that he is now completely enthralled and has also signed up for our next Micro System Training.  Then there was the…

I was recently thinking about how operating a commercial aquaponic farm had similarities to my former business.  Having run a huge construction firm when housing and commercial construction was booming far greater than it ever should have, we used to joke that we were pimps.  People were always incredulous that two women operated a company that did trades as diverse as drywall and stucco to insulation, painting and metal framing.  One look at me and they couldn’t imagine me on drywall stilts…