Intro to Aquaponics Workshop
Workshop is sold out, but email us at wow@theabundancefoundation.org to get on the waiting list – a few spots will likely open up!
10am to 2pm March 23, 2013
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 Rachel Tinker-Kulberg for an introduction into the world of aquaponics. During this hands-on workshop, Mike and Rachel 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 experience, by teaching you how to:
• Build simpler aquaponic systems with no bulkhead fittings, and with removable pipe-fittings.
• Balance the fish, bacteria, nutrients, and plants in the aquaponic system.
• Supplement plant nutrients lacking in fish waste.
• Make better plant beds by considering media particle size and plant root structure.
• Save energy by using less water pumping.
• Use light efficiently for optimal plant growth.
• Use duckweed and other aquatic plants to control water quality.
• Obtain or grow local fish food.
• Save heating costs by using cold-tolerant fish and plants.
• Improve greenhouse designs specifically for aquaponics.
• Build aquaponic systems at all scales, from small aquariums to large commercial tanks.
• Discuss special considerations for large earthen ponds.
• Give you hands-on experience with drilling large holes in plastic, specific plumbing construction, and making easier plant beds with un-screened gravel.
• Let you participate in the construction of a small, aquarium-size aquaponics system, which can be set up and operated indoors on a table-top.
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
Pay online with Google Secure Checkout:
(please contact us at wow@theabundancefoundation.org to be added to our waiting list)
