This interview is packed with hydraulic sex appeal! Eco-Machines are integrated ecosystems engineered to treat wastewater effluent, purify polluted waters, and harvest nutrients through a series of biodiverse aquaponic matrices. John Todd of John Todd Ecological Design is the son of Dr. John Todd, co-author of the book, From Eco-Cities to Living Machines: Principles of Ecological Design... an amazing book that sparked my journey through sustainable water systems years ago, before I ever knew what "aquaponics" was. In this interview, we talk about the evolution of Solar Aquatics and Living Machines (now called Eco-Machines) from the development of aquaponics to an integration of multiple systems using floating island Restorers, mycelial networks for mycofiltration, and value-added Nutrient Harvesting systems. This interview also touches on some case studies the John Todd Ecological Design company has worked on to restore contaminated rivers, ponds, and watersheds using their integrated biomimicry engineering. Eco-Machines removed 97% of the petroleum hydrocarbons in the Fisherville Canal in Grafton, MA... and 19 out of 20 pharmaceuticals, personal care products, antibiotics, and other contaminants from the waste-water at the Omega Institute! We talk about the importance of wetlands as hurricane buffers and natural aquaponic systems, our "planetary kidneys." And lastly, we discuss the power of polycultures, the multiple functions of algae, wastewater treatment on Sir Richard Branson's island, value-added nutrient harvesting, fertigation, and low-impact development strategies for dealing with drought in California. Packed with content on water filtration, absorption in the landscape, biodiversity, and watershed management!
From Age 6, Jean Paul "Beans" Nageri was already growing beans; thus, the nickname. Today, he is an Agripreneur in Uganda integrating different forms of sustainable agriculture, from dairy farming to agroforestry and growing organic foods, fodder and fruit trees. We speak about his current transition from aquaculture to aquaponics in a unique way that combines drip irrigation to plants grown in the ground, much like the ancient Egyptians used to send fish water to plants in ditches. We talk about creating value-added products, doing market research, the industries of cut flowers, smoked fish, and fruit spreads, and even how to make yogurt! This young agripreneur is thinking BIG in Uganda!!!
In a world where massive drought emergencies and soil degradation are striking communities at a rapid pace, aquaponics holds the keys to some amazing life-generating solutions. Listen to Esteban Garcia, Founder of Aquatech Food Support Systems. Wow. We talk about how aquaponics can jumpstart ecosystems, communities, and economies by creating more jobs, generating clean food, fish, and water, (using WAY LESS water than conventional agriculture) and even producing ENERGY! Vortex lighting systems, waterwheels, biofiltration, oxygen creation, underground aquaponics, survival, and the Prepper movement all fall into this amazing conversation!
In this episode, Liz and I continue our conversation on topics such as seaweed or kelp extract, duckweed, snails, prawn, malabar spinach, and the rooting hormone in willow trees for easy propagation of diverse plants. Liz also goes into some depth about the differences among fish types like tilapia, catfish, rainbow trout, mosquito fish, goldfish, and koi. We also discuss easy plants to grow in aquaponics that are "cut and regrow" types such as green onions, watercress, celery, radish, strawberries, and others! Listen for more wisdom from the co-founder of Genesis Clock Farm!
Victoria Kelley is the Editor-in-Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Aquaponic Survival Communities magazine, an online magazine sharing the stories of other backyard and commercial aquaponics growers, scientists, and permaculturists. This interview discusses the health benefits of aquaponics and gardening for kids with disabilities such as autism and other health issues. We also talk about some cultural and legal issues surrounding sustainable agriculture and localized farming. A powerful conversation!
Mike Oehler is the author of The Earth-Sheltered Solar Greenhouse Book: How to Build an Energy Free Year-Round Greenhouse. In this fantastic interview, we discuss how to design and build the perfect greenhouse dirt-cheap by using gravity to warm your winter plants, effectively capturing and storing the sun’s heat, and cutting greenhouse heating bills 75% to 100%. We also talk about underground houses, designing to increase access to sunlight in tandem with greenhouses and uphill patios, and how to keep water out. Mike is THE earth-sheltered greenhouse guru!
In this continuing discussion with Liz Kim, we talk about all kinds of things related to permaculture and aquaponics: Frugal ways to start building your greenhouse, the integration of aquaponics with your backyard crops, black soldier fly larvae, the importance of pollinators, how chemical pesticides disrupt biodiversity and ecosystem health, as well as human health, and so much more. Other topics include sustainable greenhouse design, creating wind resistance for plant health, oxygenation via gravity, ventilation, greenhouse management, system diseases, and kelp emulsion. Liz Kim is the co-founder of Genesis Clock Farm in California, soon moving to Oregon.
In this episode, Paul and I talk about marketing strategies, differentiating your Aquaponics brand, value-added industries, educating the consumer, and using cooperatives as leverage in the business of Aquaponics. Paul Van der Werf is an Integrated Aquaculture Designer whose focus is on sustainable food production systems. His mission is to inspire, engage and encourage everyone with a strong interest in fresh, high quality food to embrace their desire to learn and enrich lives. He has over 15 years experience in agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture design, project development, delivery and management.
Learn about organic pest management, working with fish densities,and how to integrate aquaculture and aquaponics into the larger scope of organic farming. We talk about connecting the dots in the industry, from energy generation to field crops and “run to use.” Jesse and Molly of Imagine Aquaponics continue to share open-minded innovation and bright ideas for the integration of aquaponics and hydro-organics in the movement for food freedom and organic agriculture.
Listen up as we talk about commercial aquaponics, design and marketing, and the effects of aquaponic environments on health in Australia. Paul Van der Werf is an Integrated Aquaculture Designer whose focus is on sustainable food production systems. His mission is to inspire, engage and encourage everyone with a strong interest in fresh, high quality food to embrace their desire to learn and enrich lives. He has over 15 years experience in agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture design, project development, delivery and management.
Listen as we discuss backyard aquaponics in drought-plagued California with Liz Kim of Genesis Clock Farm. We talk about the lazy farmer's way of growing food, black soldier fly larvae, wicking beds, chickens, vermiculture, wheatgrass biofilters, and selling produce in CSAs. Liz Kim is the co-founder of Genesis Clock Farm, where she teaches sustainability and aquaponics, with the goal of spreading food and water security for all.
Listen as we discuss a different application for aquaponics using organic hydroponics with high-density aquaculture, decoupling, and permaculture design for field crops. Jesse Hull and Molly Stanek, of Imagine Aquaponics are designers, experimenters, and consultants in the aquaponics, organic hydroponics, and integrated aquaculture fields. Imagine Aquaponics consults both nationally and internationally.
This is Part 3 of my chat with Tim. Here we talk about systems thinking, nutritional content and freshness of aquaponic produce, soil remediating services, permaculture applications, effective microorganisms, and tomatoes! Tim Mann is the co-founder of Friendly Aquaponics, in Honokaa, Hawaii. Friendly Aquaponics is one of the leading pioneers in the Aquaponics movement and the development of commercial, Deep Water Culture aquaponics. As the technical writer, builder, and developer of the Friendly Aquaponics farm, website, manuals, and greenhouse trainings, Tim is a wealth of information in commercial aquaponics, passive solar greenhouse design, tilapia breeding, and appropriate technologies that are energy-efficient and highly productive.