This is a fun episode as we chat with Diana Fitzsimmons and Amanda Jones from Wairakei Primary School in New Zealand, along with two of their students, Myles and Rose. Listen in as they talk about how they got into doing aquaponics, dealing with fish death, experimenting systems, getting ideas from Murray Hallam, and building an in-line system composed of media beds and clay beds.
They also touch on more related topics such as insulating tanks, solar water heating, and water testing using test tubes. Check out how they dealt with nitrite spikes and staying away from fish death.
Our guests today share about the teaching system in New Zealand, specifically focusing on aquaponics and how it addresses global issues where they intend to fit the aquaponic system setup into New Zealand's curriculum considering that aquaponics is a very new topic in the country so they hope to expand the knowledge on aquaponics throughout New Zealand.
More discussion on system maintenance during school breaks, the role of bacteria as the unseen good guys, as well as growing fish and experimenting things like raising eels, prawn, shrimps, and crayfish. Lastly, we talk about dealing with regulations, laws, and restrictions involving aquaponics.
This episode couldn't get any hotter as we welcome back Spencer Curry of FRESH Farm Aquaponics on the show. Listen in as he discusses TLUD stoves and all about the smokeless, double burn which is simply genius!
TLUD stands for Top-Lit Updraft Stove. Today's show is primarily on biochar, why TLUD stoves rock, and how to make one. We’re talking about TLUD stoves made out of paint cans, the concept of pyrolysis, the role of an oxygenless chamber, and creating biochar with tons of surface area for microbial habitat (whether you use biochar for aquaponics or soil). We also talk about how biochar works to adsorb nutrients and how that differs from absorption.
Listen in as Spencer comprehensively describes how a TLUD stove works, as well as some techniques to make it work properly. Other things included in the interview are rocket stoves vs. rocket mass heaters, liquid heat, chimneys, cinder blocks, how the combustion process works for the gases, and siphoning gas over combustion.
We also delve into the downsides of the TLUD stove, the cost of building it, eliminating contamination issues with pyrolysis, some various tests to check once everything is done, and observing safety measures. Get more biochar application tips from Spencer including combination materials and mixes, plants that like biochar and some pH changes with biochar.
Lastly, we touch on systems design including the use of biofilters, swirl filters, and pumps in deep water culture and vertical tower NFT systems.
In today's episode, we welcome Faris Farrag of Bustan Aquaponics who is stirring up an aquaponics movement in Egypt. A former banker turned aquapreneur, Faris is pioneering a movement in aquaponics while hoping to see a rising movement in the rest of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. His interest in aquaculture and food has led him to enroll at Dr. James Rakocy's course in the University of the Virgin Islands which further inspired him to stay in Egypt and break ground on the farm that he currently has today.
Listen in as Faris talks about the different produce they're growing in the system, how the market has responded to their aquaponic system, and keeping up with the momentum. Faris also brings into our discussion the ins and outs of organic certifications as well as reclaiming the language by putting the responsibility on producers using chemical products. We delve into the biggest issue concerning re-circulating fish farms and how to deal with it using biofiltration systems.
Faris describes the organic food movement in Africa in terms of traceability, the current trends affected by water scarcity, and a look into their permaculture-integrated farming, net-zero waste through efficient reuse and recycling of everything in the system through an amazing deep irrigation network
We also talk about renewable energies, passive solar water heaters, and heat diffusion system as well as the solar desalination process and purification through mirroring. Faris gives a comprehensive description of their actual UVI-based aquaponics system while using 80-90% less water than more traditionally land-based agriculture as a water-based system in the desert.
More topics on sand as excellent base media and composting, the need for integrating technology into natural farming systems, genetic modification and localizing seeds, sustainable fishing and value-added products, and having an al fresco dinner at Faris' pop-up restaurant which is just super cool!
Lastly, we talk about the marketing and the financial side of the business covering intellectual property design systems and online delivery service in Egypt. Really listen into some solid marketing and financial planning strategies and the importance of localizing the food movement amidst the challenges of logistics and bureaucracies.
Celebrating Episode 50!!! Creating a flourishing green space amidst busy Brooklyn, New York is just what Yemi Amu, co-founder of Oko Farms has successfully created. Established in 2012, Oko Farms is a commercial aquaponics and educational company. Its current biggest project is called the Moore Street Farm in Bushwick, a 2,500 sq.ft. farm where they raise a variety of fish such as channel catfish, tilapia, and goldfish as well as herbs like basil, shiso, mint, cilantro, and more and where they sell mostly to neighborhood restaurants. Education-wise, they have built solid partnerships with the Department of Education through a program that connects public school children to farms around the city as well as a partnership with a nonprofit housing developer, Northeast Brooklyn Housing Development Corporation.
Listen in as Yemi talks about her training with Morning Star Fishermen. Yemi illustrates their aquaponics system, initially growing plants in coir and later transferring them to rockwool as their growing media. Learn more about how Oko Farms is dealing with downy mildew issues through different techniques such as foliar spraying with compost tea. Other plants they’re growing include mint and the Japanese-herb shiso.
On the business side of things, Yemi talks about marketing and getting started in business with aquaponics, how they started small and getting funding through partnerships with different entities such as the Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation, Green Thumb, Home Depot, Build It Green, New York Restoration Project, and The Awesome Foundation.
Lastly, Yemi touches on creating value-added products, licensing (they actually only make products that don't require licenses), what products fall under the 20-C exemptions, and the value of developing relationships in the community to reduce your need for getting loans.