Interesting Challenge... moving the research community to "support" the local community!

[Amy D Crawford]

Got back from the 8th annual engineering conference on Aquaculture, Roanoke, VA.

I was impressed by two things:

1) how much they have accomplished in the high density production of fish, and

2) how hard they are working to solve the very problems that aquaponics solves so well.

Research papers presented and attended by engineers from 23 countries!

They are investing an enormous amount of time, money, and energy (literally, electrical energy) to produce tonnes of fish. Most of the major issues, DO (dissolved oxygen), waste products, water treatment can be managed effectively with aquaponics but not at the tonnage that they are trying to achieve.

Most of the papers presented were on the order of how to solve those problems within a high density aquaculture setting; raising fish in isolation.

One of the newest research topics: bio-floc... feeding fish from the microorganisms that grow in the system. The concern is that the cost of "fish meal" is sky rocketing (not so much the fact that the oceans are being stripped to feed the aqua-cultured fish), with wheat & soybean to follow.

excerpted definition: Bio-floc farming encourages a bacterial community in the pond or raceway. Once established and maintained, bacteria-dominated ponds or raceways are more stable than algae-dominated ponds. The bacteria accumulate in clumps called flocs, more about flocs in a moment, and gobble up the nitrogenous wastes ten to a hundred times more efficiently than algae, they work night and day, pay little attention to the weather—and turn those nitrogenous wastes into high-protein feed for the shrimp.Bio-flocs consist of variety of bacteria, funghi, microalgae, and other organisms suspend with detritus in culture water. Flocs treat and bio convert both dissolved and particulate wastes into microbial biomass. Flocs play roles in water treatment and natural food production, reducing feed and disposal waste costs.

But why the high density? why that approach?

The majority of funding, of course, comes from the "industial" corporations at the university research centers. Think CAFO ... i.e. confined animal feeding operations... feed lots (cattle, hog, chicken, etc) that can maximize profits on the smallest footprint.

I saw some stunning results... tanks full of atlantic salmon, 8 lbs each, at least... in pristine water, with an annual tonnage of 50, being projected, for delivery. Incredibly dependent on very, very high energy input, O2 injectors (cost of the O2), fed by the ocean "junk" fish, wheat, and corn currently. With the bio-floc development the dependence on ocean fishmeal can be reduced.

BioFloc, at this point, is filtered, drawn off, dried, pelleted, and fed back to the fish (again, a very high energy intense process).So most of the research is done which will support the current industry model as they are providing the grant money.

When asked what our interest was (my husband & I) many conference attendees were fascinated by the idea of including grow-beds to round out a fish growth system! Explaining that we are developing a sustainable farm with grass fed beef, heritage pork, dairy cows, and free range poultry... and would like to add fish, as well as hydroponic grow-beds, in addition to our organic gardens, for our local market.

Our interest is to develop a system that could work in small communities with minimal energy and water use. It did not have to produce tonnage... just enough for a local food market (i.e. the 100 mile diet). We were repeatedly asked to have information forwarded to them. Many of these requestors where PhD's, MD, and industry experts!

The challenge I think, is to develop the documentation, collect the data, and then present it as a very viable alternative for the niche market/local sustainability.

Anyone have thoughts on this subject???? Seems to me that this education facilities are built with tax paper money and the research that is being done there, should also benefit the "layman". I think for some of these guys, if there was a request, they would be more than happy to "work" on a project that has a broader base in a less centralized system.

AmyD

1 hr N of San Francisco

This conference is held every two years...

[Raychel A Watkins]

Aloha
I enjoyed your coments. I worked in Academia for 10 years. First as a graduate student and then as an instructor. In those 10 years I had a budget of $00.00. Yes that is correct nothing. Yet in those 10 years I did enough research to keep 2 professors writting papers. We published more papers off my low budget research than either had produced before or since. I am a firm believer in using what you can find especially things others are about to throw away. I am a Clinical Laboratory Scientist by trade. The clinical lab has to throw all out dated stuff away and I was their trash container. Out dating has nothing to do with wether the product will work or not it is just a way to raise the cost of medical bills. I kid you not.
I have named my aquaponics " Start where you are, Use what you have, Scrounge for the rest, Low budget aquaponics for non rocket scientest." Thats it in a nut shell. Our University here just helped the Mental Hospital set up an aquaponics system for the patients. The ppatients do all the growing, harvesting, and the like. They had the pictures in the newspaper. The grow beds must cost at least $1000.00 each. What did the patient learn about sustainability in this project. Sure they can grow vegetables in the system but could they build a system. Could the average person afford the system. I think not. I am a pied piper when it comes to aquaponics. I try to drag everyone I can to my farm. When they look at web sites they say I can never afford that but after comming to my house they see it is possible.
I tried aquaculture for a year and I worked myself to death trying to keep the tanks clean and still lost fish. I had a torn retina and couldn't do anything for awhile and my chiropractor introduced me to aquaponics. I still work myself to death but in a different way. I keep figuring out new ways to make a system, I totally agree this idea of mass production of the fish to feed the masses is not the answer. We have to get everyone involved in their own system and feeding their own family and spreading the good news " You don't have to go hungry and it is not expensive." One by one each of us convincing another and we may save the world. There is so little waste in a home falmily system. Actually there isn't even much waste in a big commercial system and look how little space it takes up.
I love the idea of alternative food for the fish especially if we can naturally produce it. The class I took said never feed tilipia duckweed. They have to be starving to eat it. My look forward to it I actually give it to them after their regular feed. I call it their desert. They devour it. I have had a bad ammonia problem lately and I am blaming it on this brand of feed I had to buy as the supplier ran out of the kind I normally use. I have never had such left over food in the water. This is all just waste and as has been stated we are depleting the ocean of its fish to feed to other fish. I look forward to working on other types of food.
Enough already. Mahalo for listening I am adement about sustainability. This leads to just one more thought. I work in a hospital and a week ago I was talking to some nurses about how excited I was about aquaponics. This nurse pipes up and says " My mother and father made us help in the garden and pick and prepare the fresh food and we really didn't have to. Meaning they could afford the grocery store. Then she added. " I would never subject my children to that. That is just cruel" Need I say more.

[Amy D Crawford]

Sylvia,

As you commented: "You are pointing out a frightening disconnect between our industrial food providers and what some of us know to be both the best solution for the planet and for our bodies...or shall I say yet another frightening disconnect. "

I think that was one of the scariest aspects; realizing that this broad group of dedicated people were working so in-depth on a "problem", in their ivory tower! And that is one of the issues with the "ivory tower", it's to easy to lose connection with the real world in it's entirety. It's not, CAN we do something, but SHOULD we do it and how does it play out for all of us, and play out in the long term. I think that in the western world it's been socially unacceptable to ask that question; at least in the USA western world.

The participates at the conference were well aware that the oceans are in a critical state; that we have depleted it's stores, to the brink of extinction. But I'm not sure they are looking at the broader picture... only the technical aspects of a solution dictated by industry funding.

The use of the word "sustainable" was used freely but I ventured to point out that there are various levels of meanings to that word. Overall sustainable practice were not clearly explored. Only that bio-floc is more sustainable than the fish meal harvest that was declining due to over-harvesting. And I got the impression that it was the COST of fishmeal that bothered them more than anything else!

It's not that many of the guys would not be interested in working on variations of a solution but that they don't even know that there is a problem, or that the world model they are using as a basis may not continue forever. There is no margin built into their model that allows for changes in the system. If one built to that particular model, and becomes dependent on it... what happens if it begins to fail due to it's inability to adapt?

If energy costs were to escalate, I can easily see that the cost of the fish produced would increase so that only the elite would be able to afford it (and with continued use of fish meal created from the ocean junk fish, depleted stores for the common man to utilize).

The most effective way of altering their world view, I found, was to ask about their research, their focus, and how they got into it. In small table discussions we would eventually be asked what brought us to the conference. I think what they found interesting was that we talked in "real world terms"; the application. Certainly the questions and interests were quite strong.

Explaining that we had a sustainable farm and wanted to focus on a niche local market, not compete in the world markets, was of great interest.

That every output we created should be an input for another system. Of course that appeals to the problem solvers mind!

That our focus would be developing a system that could be repeated over and over on a local scale and NOT mass market. If one system crashed there would be others to fill in.

That each system should adapt to the local resources available. That we really had NO interest in MONO-cropping.

Both the lifestyle and the approach appealed to many.

I think that utilizing this approach; pointing out the positive values of such a system, AP, and integrating it into the over all scheme, in such a way to reduce the dependence on external supports, that may or may not be available, would be fascinating research. I asked one longtime professor of a university if they ever developed research projects to solve local issues. He assured me that they had done so in the past and in-depth. All anyone had to do was to come in and present the problem.

Perhaps we have become disconnected as well, from our research educational centers, and no longer require that they address our needs (the non-industrial base). If we want to effect significant in-depth change, perhaps it is these centers that need to alert our young people to the "real" problems that need to be defined and solved on a true sustainable basis. But if those "issues" are not made significant by bringing them up, they will not be considered.

The balance is delicate... real world and the ivory tower. When I was working on my nursing degree my best educational integration came as working as an aid in the hospital. There I needed to take my book knowledge and meld that with real world realities. Either, in isolation, does not measure up for positive developments.

I call my husband a Renaissance Man, and I think most people involved in AP are of that nature; exploring and creating without waiting for "someone else" to fix it for them. Willing to educate themselves, to experiment, to try different approaches.

When we ask "government/industry to solve the problems" then we hand over power and responsibility to them. And currently, the government/industrial model seems to have reached the point where only "they" are allowed to create the solution (to their benefit).

Instead, we need to work with our educational centers to say, these are issues that need more concentrated research, that will contribute back to the community! It's not that we NEED the educational centers to do the work so much as they need to know the real problems in a whole world context. The AP community can take what it needs/wants and create various solutions that meet the local requirements.

I'm heartened by the response and the depth of thought that has gone into the comments! The most challenging part is to bring people together to address a problem. I think this blog/website approach provides an outstanding way to deal with this.

As an aside, if anyone knows how one goes about directly commenting to a comment, I'd love to learn how!!! Otherwise I'll try and go back and respond to each one, individually. I just think it's usefully for everyone to "hear" the comment response, so they can add on to it if they have some thoughts on the subject.

(I'm trying to limit my online time so that I can stay involved in my "real" world solutions... I was very guilty of "Paralysis by analysis" and am trying to change my woeful ways!)

Amy

[HeatherTwist]

Sahib:

I think you are onto something with the school idea. Some of the local high schools have greenhouses and they do grow vegetables there, albeit in a more "classic" way. As this whole process gets more ironed out, teaching the kids will be the way to go, because what you learn at that age is what sticks. My kids get excited with our vegetables, and my continuous experiments for growing them better. Both of them just "discovered" tomatoes this year, because they had never tasted a *real* tomato, ever. Now my daughter is saying that BLT's are just plain decadent, which they are, with fresh-picked tomatoes and lettuce! We feel similarly about eggs: they are luscious. And I'm very much looking forward to fresh fish! But can you imagine if even some portion of school kids had this experience on a regular basis? You'd be raising a generation that isn't satisfied with with CAFO.

I read about one college where the kids actually help grow the food served in the cafeteria. Originally the idea was to offset costs, but sheesh, what a cool idea!

[Jerry J. Miller]

Those of you following this blog might find this YouTube by Dan Barber " How I fell in love with a fish" interesting. It shows what a sustainable fish farm look like and how it is managed. It's; funny, enlightening & scary all at the same time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EUAMe2ixCI

[Amy D Crawford]

OK,I'm trying to figure out how to answer each "comment"! Some wonderful and interesting responses. Certainly goes a long way toward feeling like there are others of the same like mind. I keep wondering if we are the only ones that see the danger/disconnect that is occurring!

[Sahib Punjabi]

Amy,

Sincere "Thanks" for sharing such thought provoking information. I am totally in agreement with you in your statement "Seems to me that this education facilities are built with tax paper money and the research that is being done there, should also benefit the "layman". I think for some of these guys, if there was a request, they would be more than happy to "work" on a project that has a broader base in a less centralized system."

Carl Smith's view and approach also is one that is close to my heart as are the responses shared bu other members (Heather Twist & Matthew Holzmann). Let us speak with a "joint voice" and approach the powers that be to begin such research. I humbly request Sylvia Bernstein to perhaps have Aquaponic Gardening Members sign a joint petition for presentation to appropriate "Funding & Grant" sources (may actually only interest Governmental Bodies instead of "industrial" corporations who as you state are more interested in "CAFO ... i.e. confined animal feeding operations... feed lots (cattle, hog, chicken, etc) that can maximize profits on the smallest footprint." Nothing wrong with that at all. However, as a citizen who pays a lot of tax, I would like to be able to vote that some of that be expended to encourage research that would also benefit the "layman". Give me the tools to help myself and those around me who are in need first before I help those in far off places. In my book, "Charity" begins at home first :-)

once again "Sincere Thanks" for a really informative share. Please keep us posted on further developments

[HeatherTwist]

Matthew:

I think your comments are invaluable. Part of what has motivated me is to see what has been developed for the people in "undeveloped" countries ... some of which is way more efficient than what is marketed here. Whatever "the solution" is, it needs to be able to be done by persons with minimal resources or financial backing. The pilot projects in rural areas are the key, I think.

FWIW: In my grandfather's day, there were carp farms in Germany. Doesn't get talked about much now, but they were there. Probably just holes dug in the ground with shovels and filled with carp, but they grew big fish that people ate. No electricity, no pumps. If you had a couple of motivated teenagers to move water with buckets, it *could* have been an aquaponics system.

[Carl Smith]

Mathew,
I agree with your sentiments, that is how I got started in my efforts to go off grid in as many areas as possible.
Food and water security being the first target. After studying on line I began the process of building the lowest cost of entry commercial system I can. Currently I have a 22x32 greenhouse made from recycled lumber. Will be using plastic barrels cut in have for grow beds placed on top of used 2 tier battery racks from back up power systems. Fish tanks will be 2x4(recycled) stud wall construction, with 3/4" plywood lined with used billboard vinyl. Tank inside dimensions 48"wide x48" high x96" long.
I am doing it as I make the time and find resources to use, no pressure of financing, business plan etc. The lower the financial cost of entry the sooner and faster the Return On Investment and profit. It may take longer to do it but it will be with minimal investment of capital (since I have none available)
Aquaponics is supposed to be able to be done by people with few resources in third world countries. then why can't it be done here. My goal is to have a commercial operation up and running for less than 10,000 dollars, not the hundreds of thousands and even millions I have heard being invested elsewhere with"Gov supported grants etc..

[Matthew Holzmann]

Amy,

I feel you. How do we create the solutions for the small-market, low energy, low resource consumption aquaponic design?

As a service member that has been deployed to Afghanistan, I feel that I have a unique perspective of our country's impact on the planet through not just our energy consumption, but our generally consumptive ideations. While in Helmand Province, I saw an incredibly healthy populace that worked hard for their living, produced food locally, and managed to source most of their lifestyle locally...probably not entirely by choice, but successfully nonetheless.

Yet, the whole time, every family lived in fear of what the Taliban would/could do to their lifestyle and livelihood - water allotments can be used as a way to force farmers to bend to will of the enemy and obviously more violent forms of intimidation are used to 'encourage' cash crops that the US deems undesirable. On patrols, I regularly pondered how the average, good, hard-working farmers could break free of their oppressive countrymen.

While operating in the village of Nawa, I was struck by the opportunities that aquaponics could provide within the typical family compound. If renewable energy sources (micro-hydroelectric, wind, or solar - there simply is no power grid in rural Afghanistan...none) were made available and combined with low-energy aquaponic designs, then I'm quite certain that the family's food security falls off the list of worries of the average Afghan farmer. Additionally, the diet suddenly has an injection of healthy protein, namely fish, and a new marketable item that can be far more productive than cattle, goats, and sheep, which are poorly fed due to lack of quality grazing areas. When thinking about Afghanistan's bread basket, it is imperative to remain cognizant that the desert is creeping in on every side of the Helmand River valley, which provides roughly a 1 mile corridor of green in the canalized areas.

I believe that the local market solutions you speak of are incredibly beneficial here in the States. And, I believe that the technologies and techniques could benefit our cause abroad, as well. I'd much rather be carrying greenhouse materials with our Afghan partners, than my gun. As we solve these problems locally, we can create solutions globally.

[HeatherTwist]

I love the bio-floc idea. I do a fair bit with bacteria now, and the stable communities are very, very stable. But the idea of super-intense growing .... HOW in the world did we get into that rat-race? The current fiasco with chicken eggs should be a wake-up call. There is no reason to super-intensify everything. I have a small group of chickens and they supply eggs to my family and a few others ... the chickens are very healthy and the amount of work is minimal, and they work as a garbage-disposal and fertilizer factory too. There are more and more "egg ladies" cropping up around here, as people are beginning to realize the value of homegrown eggs. It's been an odd change. When I started out, people were leery of eating eggs that weren't bought at a store (store=safe). Now people grab the eggs whenever they are available and love them. It's a fundamental change in outlook. People are beginning to value the local farmer's market more too.

Locally-produced fish should be on the menu too, and I kind of think they will be. The corporate folks will find a way to mass-produce fish, but people might value the fresher ones from the local "fish person" down the street.