Transcript INDEPENDENCE FARM PROJECT

Designed and
presented by
Scott M. Johnson
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The Independence Farms Project (IFP) is an educational
program that will teach students information they will need to
build, operate, maintain and benefit from a family sized home
installed aquaponic farming unit. IFP will also inform students
about relevant food issues, nutritional information and
environmental impacts of modern agribusiness and how they
can exercise independence from these pressures. Community
involvement is also at the heart of IFP, and will be stressed at
every opportunity.
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Aquaponics is the symbiotic cultivation of plants and aquatic animals in a
recalculating environment. Aquatic animal effluent (fish waste) accumulates in
water as a by-product of keeping them in a closed system or tank.
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The effluent-rich water becomes high in plant nutrients but this is
correspondingly toxic to the aquatic animal. Plants are grown in a way that
enables them to utilize the nutrient-rich water. The plants take up the nutrients,
reducing the water's toxicity for the aquatic animal. The water, now clean, is
returned to the aquatic animal environment and the cycle continues.
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Aquaponic systems do not discharge or exchange water. The systems rely on the
relationship between the aquatic animals and the plants to maintain the
environment. Water is only added to replace water loss from absorption by the
plants, evaporation into the air, or the removal of biomass from the system.
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Fiscal impact
◦ Rising food prices.
◦ Fuel cost, Food-Miles, Petroleum
used in Fertilizers/Pesticides.
◦ Environmental Cost of food not
addressed by price.
◦ Independence from chain stores,
agribusiness.
Nutrition
◦ Lack of quality food in US. Food
Desert.
◦ Historic decline in nutritional
content of vegetables, protein.
◦ Independence gained by control
of personal and family
consumption.
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Community
◦ Strengthen community bonds
through sharing quality food
 HOA, Churches, etc
 Civic groups: Scouts, Lions, etc.
◦ Mastered knowledge can be
transferred, and shared. Sense of
community independence and
empowerment.
Knowledge
◦ Knowledge and Appreciation of
where food actually comes from.
◦ Knowledge of farming techniques
being forgotten
◦ Awareness of Agribusiness impact,
actual cost.
◦ Empowerment through food
independence.
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Fiscal Influences and Information
◦ “Average” American family unity spends % 12.99 of their gross
income, or $6,372.00 on food per year.
◦ When this is applied to an average American, the individual annual
gross income as determined by the US census is $28,576.00, %13 of
which would be $3,714.
◦ Food Miles: A Swedish study looked at the ingredients of a typical
Swedish breakfast - apple, bread, butter, cheese, coffee, cream, orange
juice, and sugar - and determined the food traveled a distance
equivalent to the circumference of the earth. That's 24,901 miles.
◦ In the United States, 400 gallons of oil equivalents are expended
annually to feed each American.
Nutritional Decline, Quality Food
◦ In wheat and barley, protein
concentrations declined by 30 to 50
percent between the years 1938 and
1990.
◦ 45 corn varieties developed from 1920 to
2001, grown side by side, found that the
concentrations of protein, oil and three
amino acids have all declined in the
newer varieties.
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Food Desert: Food deserts are areas that
lack access to affordable fruits, vegetables,
whole grains, low-fat milk, and other foods
that make up the full range of a healthy
diet.
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Community Involvement & Connections
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Offer unique opportunities to:
◦ Produce traditional crops otherwise unavailable locally.
◦ Take advantage of the experience of elders to produce a
significant amount of food for the household.
◦ Provide inter-generational exposure to cultural traditions,
◦ Offer a cultural exchange with other gardeners,
◦ Learn about block clubs, neighborhood groups, and other
community information.
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Appreciation and resurgence of farming knowledge
The Aquaponic information and system designs used by IFP
have been compiled by:
◦ Backyard Aquaponics (The IBC of Aquaponics):
◦ Green Phoenix Farms:
◦ Travis W. Hughey (Barrel-Ponics):
Funding for IFP is expected to come from a grant
sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture
in association with the Small Business
Innovation Research: Aquaculture.
 Once this initial funding has been secured, it is
part of the IFP to become fiscally self-sufficient
after the first 50 students have graduated
from the IFP program. IFP will also
continue to explore funding on Local,
State, and Federal levels.
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If IFP is successful, Each unit will help to feed a family of four (4
individuals), and their neighbors on both sides as well (16
individuals). This works out to be 16 X 50 (units) = 800
individuals.
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The positive impacts of IFP on a successful student after
graduation are:
◦ Possible improved health from consumption of higher quality
foods.
◦ Reduction in family food budget compared to overall family
budget.
◦ Greater community involvement/ acceptance.
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Introduction of TransFarming
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Example: Plant cuttings from the organic garden are used to feed
the rabbit. The rabbit’s litter goes to the berry bushes as fertilized
mulch. Chickens from the garden produce fertilized hay which is
used for ground cover back in the garden. The Aquaponic system
produces a never ending supply of nutrient rich water. The worms,
grown in bins, are used to aerate and nourish the gardens, feed the
chickens and fish, and actually enhance the Aquaponic plant beds.
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Aquaponics, Poultry, Vermiculture (Worms), Soldier Flies,
Permaculture, Apiculture (Bees), Rabbit husbandry, Solar Energy,
Rain Harvesting, Organic Gardening, Bio-Char and lots more, all
in one place.
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If you are interested in additional aquaponic
information, Home unit plans, TransFarming
or are just in Austin with a free afternoon:
 Scott
M. Johnson
 [email protected]
 [email protected]
 512-897-7901