Aquaponics Digest - Mon 03/23/98
Message 1: G.E. Back Issues
from Amy Knutson
Message 2: Re: economics
from S & S Aqua Farm
Message 3: Introduction
from Greg Britz
Message 4: Seaweed
from Peggy & Emmett Hoebel
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| Message 1 |
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Subject: G.E. Back Issues
From: Amy Knutson
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 09:52:22 -0800 (PST)
Gale wrote:
"It is a pity that this didn't come up six months ago. At that time I
read the inspiring article on the Solviva greenhouse on the web. Growing
Edge seems to have removed the back issues from the web in order to sell
paper copies. The paper copies of 5/3 are available at the site Paula
points to for $7 which includes shipping. Less per copy if you buy some
other back issues. The article is not in _The Best of Growing Edge_, which
lists the latest back issue for sale as 5/2."
Back issues of The Growing EDGE have never been posted electronically in
their entirety. The Electronic Newsstand use to post a sample article. We
have always sold original, paper, back-issue copies. All issues to date
(through 9#4), except for 1#1 are available.
"The Best of the Growing Edge" was published in 1994 which is why it only
lists back issues to 5#2. The Website and current issue has a complete
listing. We are in the works for planning a new edition of the best
of...probably out in 1998-99.
-Amy Knutson, Editor
The Growing EDGE
P.O. Box 1027
341 S.W. 2nd Street
Corvallis, OR 97333
Website -- http://www.growingedge.com
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| Message 2 |
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Subject: Re: economics
From: S & S Aqua Farm
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 13:29:58 -0600
At 03:11 PM 3/19/98 -0400,
>>I'd be really interested in finding out more about the economics of
>>aquaponics and aquaculture... As someone with really no experience in
>>farming fish and/or hydroponics this is all, for right now, just food for
>>thought... How would the economics of aquaponics make it an
>>economically viable food source for developed/developing countries- I'd
>>love to hear about any research done on this and any comments from
>>the list
>>
>>Hank Morton
Considering that the development of new methods for raising food in
countries where water shortages/supplies, food shortages, nutrition (and
malnutrition) are serious concerns; I would suggest that aquaponics systems
should be receiving serious consideration. Economics should, I agree, be a
major item, but there are many other "values" to be evaluated as well.
James Rakocy wrote:
>
>Hello Hank, We have written a paper on the economics of an aquaponics system
>(tilaia and lettuce) in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It appears to be
>profitable. Profits increase with economy of scale. We also have a nich
>market with high tilapia and lettuce prices. My feeling is that commercial
>aquaponics will always have to have a niche market (upscale restaurants,
>etc.) to make money (a good reason for locating them close to large urban
>markets).
Large urban markets, especially with today's concerns for "safe" foods,
would be a major plus for any operation. Doesn't mean that only "urbanites"
are concerned about their food supply, but proximity to the end user will
certain enhance an operation's profitability.
>Another possible alternative would be to locate systems in low
>wage areas (developing countries like most companies do these days) and
>export product to large high priced markets.
My view is that aquaponics could be used in many ways, this being one, but I
think it may be more "economically" beneficial to provide first for the
local market, then export what you can produce over that. At least that way
you're helping to insure the longevity of your work force by reinforcing
their nutritional needs.
>I don't think aquaponics will
>ever compete successfully in commodity markets, although I would like to be
>proven wrong here.
An indicator of niche market impact on commodity markets could be the sales
of colored bell peppers in most all U.S. markets (West Plains, MO included,
and we're a fairly small town). They're imported primarily from Holland, I
understand, and bring very high prices compared to other varieties.
How are the commercial operations doing? Paula, care to
>reveal your books? Jim R.
Jim - My "books" would amaze the most qualified accountant by their absolute
inability to communicate meaningful information. We have some production
figures on basil production from the time when we were growing for the
wholesale market, and I would be happy to share them. Past that, you'll
have to accept that I'm still working for efficiency in growing my other
crops - primarily in turnaround time/harvest method, etc. But then, we're
growing a wide variety of products in our greenhouse - mostly for
demonstration purposes plus the sales to our local market (restaurants,
subscriptions customers, farmers market).
I'll try to get back to this subject soon.
Paula
S&S Aqua Farm, 8386 County Road 8820, West Plains, MO 65775 417-256-5124
Web page http://www.townsqr.com/snsaqua/
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Subject: Introduction
From: Greg Britz
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 14:15:48 -0500 (EST)
I currently living in the Durham region of North Carolina and am interested
in developing an aquaculture/hydoponics business in this area or elsewhere.
I have a family of three children, have a law degree and am currently
working for a non-profit educational institution. I have some undergraduate
training in biology and icthiology and have worked in the commercial fishing
industry and recreational fisheries of the Northestern US. I have also
worked as an attorney at some of the regulatory agencies governing the
commercial fishing industry in the Northeast. For all the above reasons I
have been interested in developing more sustainable, efficient, and
environmentally safe methods of producing seafood resources for consumption.
The aquaponic system of S&S attracted me for its simplicity, and elegance of
design, as well as for its promise for raising fish for sale on a commercial
scale without the need for extensive chemical treatment of water and fish.
I interested in starting an aquaponics operation either in NC or some other
part of the country and am interested in any information that will help me
make this a reality.
One question I have has to do with geographic location and its impact on an
aquaponic system -- ie are certain locations too hot or too cold? Is there
an ideal geographic location? In addition, is it practical to consider
growing feed for fish at same location?
Thanks, Greg
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Subject: Seaweed
From: Peggy & Emmett Hoebel
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 21:25:43 -0500
Sorry for the delay in responding. I used Liquid Kelp from Gardens Alive.
The bottle is labeled "seaweed, Ascophyllum Nodosum". Paula said that her
system was cleared up in about four hours. Well I added a cup in the
evening to my 200 gallon tank, looked into the coffee colored water,
wondered if I challenged my system too much, went to bed, and got up to
clear water. Fish were happy, plants were happier. ........Emmett
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