Sam Fleming of 100 Gardens in North Carolina discusses development of curriculum for work credentials and the bigger holistic effect of aquaponics in education. Work ethic, self care, responsibility, a perspective on belonging, and character development. Also, affecting the nutrition and eating habits of an entire generation by creating healthy habits for children, in and through school programs, that will positively affect their diet for life.

We have had a great year! Over 1,300 listens, lost of quality interviews, and a few bad jokes. We will be sharing some of your emails. In the spirit of growth and the consolidation of ideas around agriculture and aquaponics, I am sharing a list of ...well a list of some stuff, about what I think we should work towards to make a better food system, and how aquaponics fits in. Happy New Year!

Your Host,

Ken

Dr. Paul Brown joins us from Purdue. He is active in research and still investigating the possibilities. Aquaponics system benefits are not exaggerated! Sustainability analysis using "Life Cycle Assessment". Consumer perception and mixed up demand for "Wild verses Farmed Fish". Black Soldier Flies and algae for fish feed.

What the Farm is going on with American commodity agriculture? How did nitrogen fertilizer production develop? What are "farmers" producing? Is it actually profitable, and effective? Is agribusiness the same as farming?

Farming is lumped together in the news and used to describe commodity farming, mostly. This leaves direct consumption food- fruits and vegetables- without much of a voice.

How does this shape our food system....we are about to farm around and find out!

Dr. John Hargreaves has a long journey of sustainability and aquaculture with a beginning in aquaponics. He is a worldwide aquaculture consultant and has served as the editor of the World Aquaculture Magazine. While hopeful and fair, he has reservations about the viability of aquaponics as well as the viability of aquaculture in the United States. He also discusses his efforts to develop organic guidelines for aquaculture.

Dr. John Hargreaves has a long journey of sustainability and aquaculture with a beginning in aquaponics. He is a worldwide aquaculture consultant and has served as the editor of the World Aquaculture Magazine. While hopeful and fair, he has reservations about the viability of aquaponics as well as the viability of aquaculture in the United States.

My lame excuse for not posting a live podcast from the aquaponics association conference. Two additional updates on the Seeds to Success/Farm to School conference, and the Louisiana Homesteaders' Conference. A challenge from someone at a conference (he was sort of a jerk) about grants and a discussion about their influence on the development of the aquaponics industry.

Milo the dog helps us answer common questions about operating aquaponic systems and we look forward to the Aquaponics Conference this week. We will be doing interviews and possibly a live podcast at the conference. Look for lots of photos and updates on the Facebook Page. Enjoy!