Spurred by the likes of Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma and movies like Food, Inc., concern about the food we eat has grown as the local food movement gains ground. Around campus and in Blacksburg, local and sustainable foodies prove their dedication at the nearby farmer’s market, local food store, and much more. But the number one question about eating non – commercialized food remains the same: how can we feed the world population with local food? Aquaponics offers a solution to this daunting question.
Aquaponics combines methods of hydro
ponics, a system of water based planting and aquaculture, fish cultivation, aquaponics to create a low impact and feasible class of alternative agriculture. Most simply, aquaponic systems are able to grow plants and fish while producing minimal waste. The fecal waste from fish are nutrients for growing plants situated in the wastewater. The plants then filter the wastewater and provide clean habitats for the fish. In the end, this closed loop system provides fish and vegetables for the farmer to eat or sell.
Recent studies have shown that the fish farming industry needs a significant management renovation to ensure a profitable business future. Aquaponics offers a venue for fish farming without negatively effecting natural habitats. Other benefits of aquaponics include higher plant yields, increased energy efficiency and most importantly, fresh produce and fish.
Although this form of agriculture has not taken root in the conventional setting, aquaponic farmers envision these systems incorporated into modern and sustainable buildings. Integrating municipal waste with aquaponics could be the way of the future! Some aquaponic farmers are selling their produce at local farmer’s markets and even some natural food stores.
I think that aquaponics provides feasibility to local food. This type of system fits well for urban and backyard gardeners as it requires little space per output. Aquaponics does not require high up front costs, but could easily provide a family with year - round fresh produce and fish. More and more, pesticides and commercial farming are diminishing the benefits of our fruits and vegetables as well as our seafood. With further national policies, aquaponics could be used as a vehicle to promote sustainable eating habits. With further governmental support for local aquaponic infrastructure, more and more people could have access to local food. This alternative is one of many that can make local, healthy, sustainable food the direction of our food future.
I heard of a similar growing method that involved suspended root systems with a shallow nutrient-enriched water tank underneath. A small amount of air is pumped into the tank- just enough to created small bubbles that pop onto the roots and grow the plant. This seems like a really efficient way to achieve this process. I think they called it aeroponics or air-dynaponics.
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