intro to aquaponics workshop
10am to 2pm March 17, 2012
Located at The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro, NC. For directions, click here.
In an age of rising populations and diminishing oil reserves, how are we going to feed ourselves? Aquaponics, a self contained, sustainable system for growing fish and veggies is one answer! These backyard food systems are one easy way to grow some of your own food.
Join Mike Yablonski and Nancy Wisniewski for an introduction into the world of aquaponics. During this hands-on workshop, Mike and Nancy will show you how to build your own backyard system. Just add plants, fish and water and you will be taking another step down the path to self reliance!
“Aquaponics is proven worldwide as the most efficient and sustainable way to grow food, on any scale.” – Bevan Suits, AquaPlanet
What is Aquaponics?
In a nutshell, aquaponics is the practice of growing fish and plants symbiotically in a re-circulating, soil-less environment, without the need to add chemical fertilizers. Utilizing natural bacterial cycles, fish waste is effectively converted to nutrients to feed the plants, filtered water is returned to the fish, and the re-circulation continues. Many variations of an aquaponics system can be created, but the basic premise remains the same. Examples of types of aquaponics systems include:
• Basic Drip/Gravity System (utilizing media filled grow beds for plants)
• Ebb & Flow System (utilizing media filled grow beds for plants)
• Deep Water Culture/Hydroponic Raft System
Why Try Aquaponics?
• It uses much less water than traditional gardening.
• Vegetables grow amazingly fast.
• You will get fish AND chemical free vegetables from your system.
• Its interesting and fun.
• Your friends will think you are super cool.
In this workshop, we will give you the benefit of our recent practical experience. This will include a discussion about the decomposition of solid waste, to provide higher levels of nutrients to aquaponic plants. We will also suggest methods to provide plants with enough phosphate and boron, and other nutrients that are sometimes low in aquaponic systems.
The use of alternative plants, such as duckweed and other aquatic plants, will be presented as a way to clean wastewater without using large amounts of solid hydroponic media.
Our demonstrations will show you how to connect fish tanks and aquaponic beds with several different types of flood-and-drain designs, and illustrate how to use different plumbing systems, such as PVC, PEX, and freeze-proof flexible hoses.
You will get hands-on experience in building a common type of aquaponic system, giving you the skills to make the containers, bulkhead fittings, and pipe and pump attachments that are essential to aquaponics. You will also learn how to prepare and use the solid hydroponic media for hydroponic beds.
Finally, we will give a practical discussion about the chemical bio-compatibility of materials used in aquaponics, such as the PVC, plastics, pump components, and metal parts that may be used when building aquaponics systems.
Registration limited to 15 people – Pre-registration and pre-payment required
$40 – Aquaponics Workshop
$50 – Aquaponics Workshop plus a delicious sandwich from Angelina’s that you choose from the list below
Workshop is full! Please contact us if you would like to get on the waiting list for the next Aquaponics Workshop – Call 533-5181 or Email wow@theabundancefoundation.org
About the Instructors
Mike’s background in biology, Nancy’s award winning smile, plus their combined experience with Aquaponic Systems makes them the perfect pair to introduce you to the world of self contained food systems!
Mike Yablonski was educated as a biologist and biochemist. He has worked on the function of proteins and enzymes in an academic environment, and later worked in pharmaceutical and plant biotechnology companies. After becoming acquainted with the aquatic plant duckweed, he studied its use for making ethanol biofuel.
Mike is currently interested in using duckweed to purify agricultural wastewater, as a way of creating efficient and sustainable agriculture. His personal interests include ecology and landscape gardening, and he has much experience in growing perennial woodland plants.
Nancy Wisniewski has 15 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. A few years ago, she made a career change and is now happily flourishing in the area of sustainable farming. Her current work interests include aquaponics, vermiculture, mushroom cultivation, beekeeping, chicken keeping, and year-round farming. Nancy’s knowledge of aquaponics has come through considerable research and training, and extensive hands-on practical experience.
Sandwich Choices from Angelina’s Kitchen
Roasted Beef Sandwich – ¼ lb slow roasted local beef shoulder served on pita bread with your choice of three toppings. See list below.
Chicken Gyro Sandwich – marinated boneless chicken on pita bread with your choice of three toppings. See list below.
Falafel Sandwich – Three homemade chickpea, herb, and veggie patties served on a pita with your choice of three toppings. See list below.
Hummous Sandwich – Our homemade hummous served on a pita with your choice of three toppings. See list below.
Toppings (please choose three)
Sliced Red Onion – free upon request
Banana Peppers – free upon request
Local Lettuce
Local Tomatoes
Pitted Kalamata Olives
Feta Cheese
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Roasted Sunflower Seeds
Roasted Green Chili Strips
Tabouhli –parsley and quinoa salad (Gluten Free!)
Tzatziki –strained yogurt, cucumber and garlic dip
Hummous –chickpea, garlic and lemon dip
