commercial course

[Kim]

Who has the best commercial aquaponics training course?

Also, I watched some videos from Santa Cruz Aquaponics on YouTube, but can't seem to find any contact information about them? Does anyone know?

Thanks, Kim

[Kenji Snow]

Ouroboros Farms in Pescadero, CA will be hosting a training featuring Murray Hallam and the Aquaponics Institute 02/24/2013 - 02/28/2013. We are located about and hour South of San Francisco and 40 minutes North of Santa Cruz. For more information, check out the AI facebook page at: http://aquaponicsinstitute.com/events/training-ouroboros-022013

 

Aquaponics IS the farming evolution!

 

[Sylvia Bernstein]

There are now several commercial classes being taught in the U.S., and I think in order to decide which one is the "best" you should look at several factors.  How many times has this course been taught and how satisfied have past students been?  Ask to talk to past students.  What are the credentials of the instructors?  Are they full time, experienced commercial farmers or are they academics? Or are they primarily selling consulting services and systems?  Will you just be taught aquaponic theory, or will you also be taught through hands-on sessions how to build and operate your own system?  Is there also a business and marketing component to the class to help get your farm business off to the right start?  Will you be given an extensive manual to take home and refer to after the course?

If these criteria are also important to you then you might want to check out the course that Gina Cavaliero from Green Acre Aquaponics, JD Sawyer from Colorado Aquaponics and GrowHaus, and I teach  - http://www.theaquaponicstore.com/Green-Acre-s-Aquaponic-Farming-The....  The next sessions are in Florida the last week of February.

[adam harwood]

 hello, Sylvia is correct, the only thing more important is this..... what do they produce , not talk about but actually sell week in week out, here we practice what we preach, it is all about the production value, and also getting the proper skill sets,

       Talk is only 1tenth of what you will need, we here  do all hands on, plus the ongoing fostering and the true development, we have made several real farmers from our efforts, plus we do not just take every person,   you must meet some simply requirement here... so first go to srac 454 and call theUvi.edu  folks, they have the correct info, re grow beds, rate of return, Don Bailey and Charlie S, @ the UVI st croix.. are the first place to go, blessings,   see for free, www.globalaquaponics.net this is a free site.... thank you adam harwood  aquaponics farming near every day...

[Alex Veidel]

Yeah, Green Acres course fulfills that criteria and beats all other courses hands down in my book. You'll get your money's worth with that course. Experience of a lifetime. Testify!
Sylvia Bernstein said:

There are now several commercial classes being taught in the U.S., and I think in order to decide which one is the "best" you should look at several factors.  How many times has this course been taught and how satisfied have past students been?  Ask to talk to past students.  What are the credentials of the instructors?  Are they full time, experienced commercial farmers or are they academics? Or are they primarily selling consulting services and systems?  Will you just be taught aquaponic theory, or will you also be taught through hands-on sessions how to build and operate your own system?  Is there also a business and marketing component to the class to help get your farm business off to the right start?  Will you be given an extensive manual to take home and refer to after the course?

If these criteria are also important to you then you might want to check out the course that Gina Cavaliero from Green Acre Aquaponics, JD Sawyer from Colorado Aquaponics and GrowHaus, and I teach  - http://www.theaquaponicstore.com/Green-Acre-s-Aquaponic-Farming-The....  The next sessions are in Florida the last week of February.

[Ken Armstrong]

Sylvia is correct in pointing out the considerations for attending a course.  These are all excellent things to consider when choosing a training.

We at Ouroboros Farms took the Green Acres course back in April of this year and are very grateful for what we learned there.  Our first phase system is based on their plans, but we have made some changes which we believe have improved upon their design.  Aquaponics is an evolving field after all and each generation has improved upon what has come before...For in reality, every system is a custom build and will be tailored to the specific needs of your environment.

The Aquaponics Institute has assembled an exceptionally qualified team to provide the information and tools necessary for you to successfully start your own commercial Aquaponics farm.  Murray Hallam of Practical Aquaponics, Aleece Landis (TCLynx/Aquaponic Lynx), Jesse Hull and Molly Stanek of Imagine Aquaponics, and Michael Cosmo of Planet Stewards combined have decades of experience in Aquaponics.  Experience teaching Aquaponics, running their own farms, innovating new types of systems, and working for such notables as Sweetwater Aquaponics.  These are not academics, but highly respected individuals in the industry with a vast body of hands on knowledge and practical experience.

You will learn theory.   You will get hands on experience learning on how to build a variety of different types of systems.  You will have an entire workshop on how to plumb it all together.  You will learn lighting, composting, pest management.  You will learn how to market your produce from an expert who has been specifically focused on helping new farmers get started for over ten years. You will receive a manual you can refer to. You will learn what it takes to manage a commercial farm. You will also get to see and experience a farm that went from bare dirt to 20,000 sqft of grow space and selling what we produce in just four months. We will show you how you can do it, because we did it ourselves.

All this in the coastal mountains of California among the Redwoods.  Our non-farm classes will be held at The Stillheart Institute, a unique resort nestled among the Redwoods, with 3 catered meals per day, some tree houses for rooms, and all the amenities one would expect of a high end retreat destination.  Relax in the spa, take a hike among the redwoods, or simply enjoy the company of your fellow Aquapons and connect with the instructors outside the classroom setting.

Not only will you come away with the knowledge and confidence to start your own commercial farm, but also with an experience that you won't soon forget.

See where we at Ouroboros Farms have come from, and follow us to where we are going:

https://www.facebook.com/oroborosfarms

Registration and itinerary for the Aquaponics Institute Commercial Farm Training course can be found at:

http://aquaponicsinstitute.com/events/training-ouroboros-022013

Aquaponics IS the Farming Evolution!

[Ken Armstrong]

Hey Jon, great to connect with you here as well! Looking forward to seeing you again soon.  Our latest batch of fish are thriving!   :)

Strange on the links, they work fine for me.  Both above and on our Facebook page.

The Aquaponics Institute is separate from Planet Stewards, with a focus specifically on Commercial Aquaponics training, and we at Ouroboros Farms are excited and privileged that it is being held at the largest commercial farm currently available in the US for such an experience.  Great advice as well, if you are thinking of taking a class, any class, please do!  There is more than one good program out there, and one can never have too much information and experience in an industry that is constantly evolving.

[Jesse Hull]

Wait Jon, you were disappointed on EVERY level?  
That's not what you told me in person...  feeling a bit chafed here, brother ;)

I think it's important to point out that Jon is correct, however, in suggesting that there's lots to learn from a lot of different people.  What would be unfortunate is if competition turned into pissing contests between the different folks offering training. Boy have we had enough of that in the past.  Working together is what has made the aquaponics movement as great as it is now, not people doing things only because it's a good business decision.

I've worked with so many people during my 20+ years in horticulture, hydro-organics, lighting and within the last 5 years in aquaponics (my turn at shameless promotion).  More recently, JD Sawyer, of Green Acre and Colorado Aquaponics, hired me as an lighting consultant on a project he had going in Colorado.  We worked very well together, and came to choose the best options moving forward.  I would hope chances to work together like that don't just go away, or that the number of exclusive contracts being passed around lately don't sterilize the environment of collaborative potential.

As for the Aquaponics Institute training in California, I don't think anyone who can be there should miss it.  

Murray Hallam is always great to see in action and Michael Cosmo has worked tirelessly to see that this is an amazing deal.  

Speaking only for myself (and Molly), I believe that you'll be pleasantly surprised by the information that Imagine Aquaponics, in healthy collaboration with the team at Ouroborus Farms, offers on Fish, Plants -with a specific presentation on Fruiting & Flowering Crops, Water Chemistry, Integrated Pest Management, Indoor and Outdoor Lighting, Compost, and Greenhouses.  For a full list of courses go HERE.

And bonus!  -has anyone seen the site selected (Stillheart Institute) for this event?  Wow.

[adam harwood]

Hello, everybody, as a owner of a farm, We have a little different take? first, we built our farm ourselves, which is a design build operate/live where you work concept.

 any body can buy a farm... we built our farm!!!

 As part of the Aquaponics community, it is very important to know that the art form/ farming/ is a skills set.

  Selling food and processing food is another skill set. After 30 months we still pay our bills, we have had crop loss and fish loss, why would we tell you this. IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO SHARE IN THE WORST,  than brag about all the wins.

 Our journey is one of hard work, and today is no different.

   So ask your self when was the last time you, planted or sold anything  From a aquaponics farm, for us it is every week 4 to 5 times a week and counting.

       Keep up the numbers and listen to your inner self.

               we do all the time. adam harwood @ 512 667 8100 every day, for the real scoop..

                     loyal uvi farmer and friend...

[adam harwood]

Hello, to all, remember that Don Bailey is the one!!! along with Jim and charlie in the virgin islands they are 100% behind any person whi want to do this as a life style or a business, we are  www.globalaquaponics.net    and have to say we owe it all to The folks at srac 454....

 the others are maybe//// maybe not the right fit...

      Even here we will not take on every person wanting to train, we screen all of our students first by need, then  are you ready now.? you get hands on//// no Bs here!!!!. Blessings, and Remember  I started the discussion, you are all correct, even me.

          Keep up the numbers..."positive is how we live"   yes     srac 454   go read it! study it !and find your Heroes journey..

                 ps bigger is not always better ask around.... adam harwood 512 667 8100 every day from 9am till 4pm .

                                           

[Matt Sandoval]

I went to the University of the Virgin Islands this past summer. There they have a full scale system, a new Director and are planning the build out of several systems. They also have a  biofloc system on site. The flight wasnt $600 bucks from California, the hotel was 400 bucks, plus the class it self. Well worth it to see the Actual grandfather system. Don furnishes you with a CD containing all the details of Aquaponics and the full lecture. Often imitated but I havent seen replicated to full size.Plus the islands are so beautiful. Totally worth the trip and expense.

[Jon Parr]

Ahhh, Jesse. Please don't feel chafed. I said "virtually every" level, and looking back at my comment, I opted to delete it and rephrase it here. The only disappointing thing about you and Molly was that I didn't hear more! A lot more! You and Molly could teach an entire class, and you were given what, 45 minutes each in 4 days? I have the utmost respect for you both. I am really bummed that I may not be able to co-teach with you at Ouroboros.

My edited last comment: "Good to see you on the forum, Ken. I just want to let you know that your registration links are dead on both the one above, and the one on the Facebook page. Maybe it it is temporary for site maintenance or something, but neither worked for me.

I have a great deal to say about this whole subject of Aquaponics training, but I can't for the life of me devise a way to say it that won't ruffle some feathers. So I'll just keep silent. I attended both Planet Steward's workshop (now Aquaponics Institute?) in Orlando this year, and the Green Acres workshop in Denver this year. Let me just say that they were not the same course, at all, in any way whatsoever. I must also say that I am slated to be involved as instructor in both programs, and I teach classes myself in Santa Cruz, CA ( www.fishnetaquaponics.com shameless plug) so my opinions will just have to be kept private.

I can say, however, that what I have enjoyed most and learned the most from in any class, is the association after class hours. I am close friends now with many attendees of both classes, and honestly I learned more from the life experiences of those good people than can be measured. If any reading this thread are debating whether or not to take a class, please DO!!! If you can attend more than one, please DO!!! There is certainly more info and experience than any one class can offer. If you can only do one, well, do your homework and pick the best. Adam, I've not heard much about yours, but I'd love to learn more."

I think it fair to say that any readers must understand that Adam, Ken, Kenji, Jesse, Sylvia and myself are all involved in major training programs, and our individual comments and shameless plugs should be taken with salt.

I think it also interesting that they all stem from UVI, and are using DWC. Quite interesting, eh?
▶ Reply

[Jon Parr]

Ken, your links worked from my home computer, but not from my IPhone. I don't know why. I know my own site won't link unless the www is typed out before the name. Lame. It's some communication error between my site builder, google apps, and godaddy. I'm more of a farmer than a techie, that's for sure.