Residential Aquaponics Workshop

Course Dates:  January 14, 21, 28, & February 4^th, 2012; Saturdays from 1:30 – 5:30 pm


Registration begins January 3, 2012. Call 245-8318


Duration of Training: 4 weeks training program, 1 day per week, 4 hours per session

Pre-requisite: A basic knowledge of aquaculture would be most helpful for this intermediate level course but not an absolute necessity.  Recommended reading “Backyard Aquaculture in Hawaii, a practical manual by Dr. Jim Szyper”, prior to the course. This manual is free and can be download directly from your internet web browser or contact the instructor upon registration and he will sent you the file.

Course Location: KCC OCET Classroom Trade Technology Bldg, Rm 114

Cost: $225 per participant

Registration & Payments:

Deadline: Friday, January 6^th, 2012 - payments must be in by deadline.

Please contact:  Melanie P. Marshall, KCC-OCET, 3-1901 Kaumuali'i Hwy, Lihue, HI  96766; 808-245-8318

Workshop Description

Aquaponics, also known as the integration of hydroponics with aquaculture, is gaining increased global attention as the fastest growing bio-integrated efficient intensive food production system.

Aquaponics serves as a model of sustainable food production by following certain principles:

·         The waste products of one biological system serve as nutrients for a second biological system.

·         The integration of fish and plants results in a polyculture that increases diversity and yields multiple products.

·         Water is re-used through biological filtration and recirculation, a closed system.

·         Local food production provides access to healthy foods and enhances the local economy.

Greenhouse growers and farmers are taking note of aquaponics for several reasons:

• Hydroponic growers view fish-manured irrigation water as a source of organic fertilizer that enables plants to grow well.

 • Fish farmers view hydroponics as a biofiltration method to facilitate intensive recirculation aquaculture.

  • Greenhouse growers view aquaponics as a way to introduce organic hydroponic produce into the marketplace, since the only fertility input is fish feed and all of the nutrients pass through a biological process.

• Food-producing greenhouses – yielding two products from one production unit – are naturally appealing for niche marketing and green labeling.

 • Aquaponics can enable the production of fresh vegetables and fish protein in arid regions and on water-limited farms, since it is water re-use system.

 • Aquaponics is a working model of sustainable food production wherein plant and animal agriculture are integrated and recycling of nutrients and water filtration are linked.

• In addition to commercial application, aquaponics has become a popular training aid on integrated bio-systems with vocational agriculture programs and high school biology classes.

Aquaponics can be set up indoors in small spaces as well as large commercial scale operations. Some of the most perceptible benefits include:

            - Minimum water use

            - 100% Organic

            - Eliminate soil borne pathogens

            - No pesticide used

            - Do away with the need to plough the soil

            - Stops backbreaking work of digging the soil and weeding

            - Can produce fish and veggies for the family / grower all year round

            - Working at waist level vs. bending or kneeling

            - Can be integrated with other sustainable farming technologies

In this course, students will be presented with a variety of mini scale systems and methods.

The workshop will train participants in basic theory and designing along with hands-on assembly of a home scale system.

Prepares candidates for the following types of employment potentials:      

-To design and assemble an aquaponics food production system with the potential to expand into an commercial operation

-To seek employment as an aquaculture/aquaponics technician

-To participate in a Farm Service Team delivering various forms of labor and management support to existing farms and agricultural enterprises

- Teachers can also be trained to apply small-scale aquaculture projects as powerful educational tools for middle to high school students. Students learn hands-on Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math, Nutrition, Data collection, Statistics, Animal & Plant Relationship, Problem Solving Skills, Scientific Writing Skills, Construction & Plumbing Skills and much more through managing & maintaining a classroom aquaponics project. (Printer friendly)