Urban Agriculture: Aquaponics

[caption id="attachment_14123" align="alignleft" width="300"] Aquaponics[/caption]

Bob Ewing - Food, we all eat it, or at least we want and need to, how we meet that daily demand varies culturally, economically, socially and psychologically. In the past two articles, I have been focusing on the economic aspects, and will continue to do so today.

Aquaponics is gaining in popularity across the country, both small scale backyard projects and larger scale commercial efforts are establishing themselves as viable enterprise.

Aquaponics refers to an aquaponic system specifically set up for the purpose of providing a protein crop (the fish) and a vegetable, herb or fruit crop (the plants).

The Aquaponics Journal states that basil is the most commonly grown herb in aquaponic and hydroponic systems. Basil has a hardy nature and is in great demand, an ideal marketing combination.

Basil is also one of the most popular culinary herbs, so it is possible that an aquaponic system that includes basil could be a profitable venture. Of course a marketing study as part of an overall business plan would need to be done to determine if it was worth proceeding. Of course, basil is not the only plant that can be grown in an aquaponic system.

Perch, trout and tilapia are the most commonly used coldwater edible fish in an aquaponics system, however, goldfish, for example, could just as readily be used if the operator did not want to raise fish for food purposes.

Growing Power is a national not-for-profit company with the following vision:

“Inspiring communities to build sustainable food systems that are equitable and ecologically sound, creating a just world, one food-secure community at a time.”

Growing Power has offices in Milwaukee and Chicago and provides an inspiration to any community seeking to secure its food supply, while building a strong and vibrant local economy.

As the practice of urban agriculture spreads across North America, and elsewhere, entrepreneurs are creating new ways to grow and distribute food.

Aquaponics is both old and new, but it is growing. If we look at what Growing Power, for example, is able to produce, we can see the economic potential of similar projects.

Across the continent similar projects are springing up, some are located in communities, that have experienced neglect, lack sources of fresh food, need revitalizing and jobs. Urban agricultural projects can provide all three.

People need to join together to address the economic situation; it is no longer acceptable to leave the decisions in the hands of a few who often act in their own best interests.

Businesses need to be more democratic and inclusive and the cooperative model is both. Urban agricultural enterprises can be set up as workers cooperatives, for example, and by including aquaponic systems in their food production, produce more than enough food for the people in their community, and create jobs at the same time.

The Community Garden

[caption id="attachment_11988" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Community Garden in Montreal Canada"][/caption]

Bob Ewing - It is not necessary to have a back or front yard and be able to grow your own food. Apartment dwellers and others who live where they have no direct access to a yard can grow fruit, herbs, flowers and vegetables. Space is necessary but that space does not have to be private property. It can be communally owned, shared or rented space. If you are curious about how this can be done, well, it involves cooperation and sharing.

A community garden is a shared space where a group of gardeners, how many depends upon the size of the land, come together to grow what they want. The group decides how the garden will operate, will it be an organic site, for example; it also develops a contract that each gardener signs. The contract lists the responsibilities the gardeners agree to and the terms each plot must follow, such as not letting your plot get overrun with weeds as this impacts other gardeners.

Land, suitable for a community garden site,may be available from the municipality or a vacant lot could be rented for at least a five year term from the property owner.

When I was in Thunder Bay, the city made land available for community gardens for a small yearly fee.

Some things to consider when planning a community garden, one, water, where will the water you need come from? Is there a source on site, can you set up a rainwater catchment system? What do you do during dry spells and droughts?

Gardeners need tools; will they bring their own; can they store them on site ? In Saint John, the community garden I belonged to had a storage shed on site and each gardener had a key and could use the tools there. We also took turns cutting the lawn and in general site maintenance. These chores can be set out in the contract.

If possible, a community garden coordinator can be employed to lend assistance to new gardeners. In Thunder Bay, I held this position for two summers. At the beginning of each gardening session, we all got together to prepare the site for planting and at the end of the season we did the same for fall cleanup. I offered organic gardening classes three times through the season, for no charge.

The community gardens provides an opportunity for people who otherwise may not be able tog row their own to do so, but it also provides another benefit, one worth just as much as the food grown.

Community gardens grow neighbours. They bring people together, people who may never have met or had a conversation, come together over a garden bed. They now have something in common; the garden becomes a common ground where gardening stories and seeds are exchanged. People cooperate out of a mutual interest and when they see each other on the street, no longer walk by, but stop and say hello.

Community gardens grow community and good food.

If you want to garden in community first find out if there is one near you, the public library, community centre or city hall may be able to provide this information. If you want to start one read next week’s column, until then happy gardening.