BLUE IS A NEW WAY TO GROW FOODOur farms have taken sustainable food production to the next level. Blue Farms produce commercial quantities of high quality plants and fish to meet the demands of supermarket chains.

1.2 acre (0.5 Hectare) UESA farm near Sydney, Australia (operated under licence)

THE BLUE ECONOMYProfessor Gunter Pauli introduced the idea of a Blue Economy in 1994 when asked by the United Nations to reflect on future business models. He said that a Blue Economy was where businesses become more profitable by mimicking the efficiencies of nature.

Inspired by Pauli we called our farms Blue because by mimicking nature Blue Farms produce more food from less.

Blue Farms are commercial scale food production systems that produce fish and plants in a protected cropping (greenhouse) environment – the fish waste providing nutrients for the plants. It is an ancient technique that has become popular amongst back yard organic farmers.

The potential benefits of this approach to food production are:

High yields - by growing fish and vegetables in the same space.

High margins - by producing premium priced produce and fish.

Low inputs - no petrochemical based fertilizers or pesticides, less water, less labour, less energy.

Low impact - no effluent, run off or soil degradation.

Low risk - contained controlled environment.

There is global interest in combining fish and plant production but there has been limited success at commercial scale. Using patented technology (granted in Australia – pending other markets) Blue Farms have shown it can be done.

Shoppers want to know how their food is produced. They want to know that it is healthy, fresh, tasty and hasn’t harmed the environment.

THE NEEDBy producing horticultural plants and fish in a sustainable protected cropping environment Blue Farms meet the needs of the consumer, agri-business, supermarkets and the planet.

PLANET

Sustainable source of high quality protein from fish.

Reduced environmental impact. Less water use.

CONSUMER

Highest standards of food safety. Fresher (less food miles) Kinder on the environment

SUPERMARKETS

Consistent supply of high quality sustainably produced food.

Differentiates brand. Meets Corporate Social Responsibility criteria.

PRIMARY PRODUCERS

Higher margins and return on investment. Less risk. Less reliance on water availability. Less environmental impact.

GREENHOUSE BUILDERS

Opens up new markets. Opportunity to supply additional technologies. Retrofit existing greenhouses.

Blue Farms create a micro ecosystem within a high tech greenhouse that mimics the way nature works.

INSPIRED BY NATUREBlue Farms are a closed ecosystem within a greenhouse environment. Fish, plants, worms, beneficial insects and microbes live together symbiotically just like in nature. Blue Farm technology finely balances the flow of nutrients and the greenhouse environment to create optimal growing conditions for the fish and plants.

1. OPTIMAL GROWING CONDITIONS

FOR BOTH FISH AND PLANTS

5. NATURAL

ENERGY INPUTS AND COMPUTER

CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT

4. PROPRIETARY

GROWING MEDIUM

2. WORMS AND BACTERIA CONVERT FISH WASTE INTO PLANT NUTRIENTS

3. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT USES BENEFICIAL INSECTS

7. WATER AND NUTRIENTS

RECYCLED IN A CLOSED LOOP

6. HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE

VERTICAL STACKING OF PLANTS OVER FISH

HOW BLUE WORKS

THE 7 COMPONENTS OF THE BLUE ECOSYSTEM. DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE,

INTRICATELY COMPLEX. JUST LIKE NATURE.

Blue Farms rear premium quality fish that can be supplied live to local markets. Australian Sea Bass, locally called Barramundi.

HOW IT WORKSBlue Farms are a unique combination of best practice horticulture and aquaculture techniques brought together using patented technology that converts fish waste into plant nutrients. Blue Farms are inspired by nature and made possible by numerous technological innovations.

1. POLYCULTURE

Plants, fish, worms, insects and micro-organisms thriving in a symbiotic micro ecosystem.

2. WASTE STREAM TO REVENUE STREAM

Worms and bacteria convert fish waste into plant available nutrients. As a rule of thumb, the waste from producing $1m worth of fish provides nutrients for $10m worth of plants.

3. BIOLOGICAL PEST CONTROL

Integrated biological pest management negates the need for petrochemical based pesticides.

4. ACTIVE RHIZOSPHERE

Plants are grown in a proprietary soil like medium that maintains optimal plant health.

5. COMPUTERIZED NUTRIENT AND CLIMATE CONTROL

Remote nutrient and environment monitoring and control maintains optimal growing conditions for both plants and fish.

6. HIGH PRODUCTIVITY

Best practice ‘off the shelf’ horticulture and aquaculture systems vertically stacked within the same space.

7. CLOSED LOOP

Cyclical flow of water, air, energy and nutrients within a contained and controlled environment. Reduced inputs, minimal effluents.

BLUE FARM ECOSYSTEMA Blue Farm greenhouse allows everything in the ecosystem to be finely controlled. The air, temperature, soil and water. The plants, fish, insects, worms and microbes. Everything is interdependent just like in nature.

VEGETABLES GROW ON A SUSPENDED

MOVING GULLY SYSTEM

FISH (AUSTRALIAN BARRAMUNDI) ARE REARED UNDER THE

PLANTS

BACTERIA AND WORMS MAKE PLANT

NUTRIENTS FROM FISH WASTE

Photo taken from http://www.lease-equity.com.au/uploads/img/P1050833.JPG

In 2013, Australian licensee UES Australia signed supply agreement with Coles Supermarket.

CHRONOLOGYBlue Farms technology has been developed over more than a decade. It’s founders were driven by the desire to produce more food from less, with less environmental impact. Partnerships with universities, government and licensees has brought this dream to fruition.

2003Inventors Hogan Gleeson and Andrew Bodlovich establish a research facility which is certified ‘A Grade Organic’ in 2005 and sells produce on a semi-commercial scale.

2008Independent research by Southern Cross University verifies that both fish and plants grow at optimal levels within a closed loop system.

2010Joint venture agreement with Steelco Pty Ltd for the construction of the first farm.

2012Construction of a 1.2 acre farm started mid April after planning and building approvals.

Winners on ABC’s New Inventors TV show.

2006

Awarded $478,000 Aus Industry Climate Ready Grant.

2009

Supply agreement signed with major supermarket chain and production commences.

2013

Australian patent granted (PCT/AU2007/000978).

Awarded $1.9m Australian Federal Government commercialization grant.

Land lease and research agreement with the University of Sydney for a farm to be constructed at their Cobbitty campus one hour from Sydney.

2011

Using a moving gully system dramatically increases yields and reduces labour.

KEY BENEFITSBlue Farms have created an uncontested market opportunity by being able to offer supermarkets a consistent supply of high quality fish and plants that can be positioned to meet local market demands such as ‘spray free’, ‘food safe’, ‘low impact’ and in some instances ‘certified organic’.

HIGH YIELDS

Space saving moving gully system and vertical stacking (fish under plants) plus computer controlled environment and nutrient flows increase yields.

LOW RISK

Protected cropping environment minimizes the impact of weather. Protected against inconsistencies in the supply of water, pesticides, fertilizers and other traditional inputs.

VERSATILITY

Numerous plant species (herbs, lettuce, Asian greens, tomatoes etc) and a variety of freshwater fish can be grown making it adaptable to local market conditions.

LOW INPUTS

Minimal water use, no petrochemical based pesticides or fertilizers, energy efficient, less labour.

LOW IMPACT

No waste byproducts, no run off, no residues, no soil degradation. Can be located in peri-urban locations reducing food miles and freight costs.

SCALABLE

Modular system with no size limit, best economies at 5+ acres (2 hectares). Suitable for a wide range of climates.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

High levels of IP protection including patents, trade secrets, process and know how.

Photo taken from http://www.livelocalsource.com/livelocaldev_files/Brooklyn_Grange_1.jpg

There are many benefits of city farming but their yields will not fill stomachs in our mega cities.

CITY FARMINGUrban farming is on the rise again. In backyards, allotments and community gardens, on rooftops and balconies. There are even plans for high rise skyscraper farms. There are many good reasons for urban farming but yields are unlikely to fill stomachs in the World’s mega-cities.

Farming in cities is nothing new. In fact it was the norm until city land prices rose and the price of food fell due to increased yields and more efficient processing and distribution. Now it’s on the rise again, driven by burgeoning urban populations, increases in food prices and other socio-economic factors.

We are big fans of urban farming, the economic, social, health and environmental benefits are well documented. Urban farming is certainly part of the solution but it will not be able to meet future demands for food – 70% more by 2050 (UN-FAO).

By 2015, 26 cities in the world are expected to have a population of 10 million or more. To feed a city of this size today, for example Tokyo, São Paulo or Mexico City, at least 6,000 tonnes of food must be imported each day (FAO-SOFA 1998).

Cities like Shenzhen, China’s fastest going metropolis, are taking a peri-urban approach locating farms 10km from the city.

This is where Blue Farms come into their own, growing commercial quantities of plants and fish a stones throw from city supermarkets. It’s simply a matter of economics. Land becomes cheaper in peri-urban locations allowing larger farms to be built that deliver economies of scale.

As growers, we’ve always believed that it’s our responsibility to produce as much healthy, nutritious food from as little as possible.

ORGANIC CERTIFICATIONIn many markets, the demand by supermarkets for high quality certified organic produce can not be met by conventional organic farmers. Organic produce commands a significant price premium in these markets. Blue Farms has the potential to meet the criteria for organic certification in many markets.

Each country has its own accredited organic certifying organisations. In Australia the largest certification organisation is the Australian Certified Organic (ACO). Blue Farms gained ‘A’ Grade Organic Certification for their research farm which operated for 6 years.

Commercial scale Blue Farms have been designed to be compliant with the National Organic Program (NOP) standards in the USA.

Organic Certification for food production is granted to an organisation or a sole trader who in most cases owns the land or farm. Legally one person is responsible for compliance to the organic standards. So owning a Blue Farm does not necessarily guarantee ongoing certification, only diligent ongoing compliance to certification standards and procedures will achieve that.

Blue Farm operators receive a template Organic Management Plan as the basis for an application for their certification. We will also assist owners of Blue Farms with their application for Organic Certification but due diligence is required on a case by case basis according to local certification regulations.

INVENTORS The vision, passion and perseverance of Blue Farms two inventors, are founded in a deep seated belief that current agricultural practices are not going to be able to meet the needs of the world’s growing population and an ever more compromised environment.

Hogan is the co-inventor of the Blue Farms System with 23 years of experience in planning, designing and running organic farming operations. Hogan holds high level qualifications in Climate Controlled Horticulture, Integrated Pest Management and Certified Organic Production.

‘I started Blue Farms because I could see an increasing need for food production close to cities. I hoped to enable people and their food production to reconnect, creating a great opportunity for urban communities to sustain themselves with a minimal ecological footprint. Rational utilisation of energy and resources, using a range of Blue technologies opens up an alternative future to the peri-urban wastelands of our current throw-away society.’

Hogan GleesonInventor and Technical Director of Plant Production

Andrew BodlovichInventor and Technical Director of Aquaculture

The co-inventor of Blue Farms, Andrew holds a Masters Degree in Sustainable Agriculture and an Advanced Certificate in Freshwater Aquaculture. His experience includes commercial organic farming and a role as the Director of Permaculture International Limited, a not for profit organisation promoting sustainable agriculture.

‘I started Blue Farms to feed the cities of the world in a more sustainable way. As a grower, I have always believed that our obligation is to produce as much fresh nutritious food as possible using the least possible resources. Hogan and I were inspired by a number of ancient cultures that grew vegetables and fish together and we set out to see if it could be done on a commercial scale. After more than a decade of hard work, we’re overjoyed that we’ve proven it can be done!’

BOARD

Simon WinfieldDirector – Finance and Strategy

Simon has 25 years experience in major Investment Banks in the USA and UK, marketing investment opportunities and new issues to leading institutional asset managers. He holds postgraduate qualifications in Business and Carbon Management.

‘I joined Blue Farms because I believe we have the technology and the expertise to dramatically improve the availability of locally grown fresh healthy food with minimal environmental impact. Healthy food grows healthy people.’

Christa AveryDirector – Corporate Governance and Asian Development

Christa is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) with some 20 years of experience working within Asian markets developing joint ventures and market entry strategy. Christa has a Masters in Environmental Management and qualifications from the Global Reporting Initiative in Sustainability.

‘I joined the Blue Farms team because I believe in the future of the technology on a global scale and feel my purpose is to help expand our network into as many different communities as possible.’

Greg Legg-BaggDirector – Marketing & Communications Strategy

Founder and CEO of the Sydney office of Momentum Worldwide, a multi award winning integrated marketing agency. Greg has a 25 year career in marketing which he started after two degrees in Agriculture and two years as a volunteer in Papua New Guinea where he supported local farmers marketing their produce.

‘I joined Blue Farms because I was struck by the sheer elegance of the idea. Blue Smart Farms are a powerful combination of nature, science, innovation and commerce that have the ability to deliver against the 3 P’s – planet, people and profit.’

PARTNERSThe Blue Farms technology could not have been implemented at commercial scale had it not been for the support of it’s key partners. Our sincere thanks go to all those who have believed in us and who have pioneered the further development of our technology with us.

UES Australia

In 2009 Blue Farms formed a joint venture with Australian company SteelCo to commercialise its intellectual property. A new entity, UES Australia, was formed and funding secured to build the first Blue Farm at the University of Sydney campus an hour’s drive from Sydney.

The University of SydneyThe Blue Farm commercial prototype is located on land owned by the University of Sydney and will serve as a research facility to further develop the technology’s ecological and commercial advantages. The University’s new Centre for Carbon, Water and Food is located nearby. UES Australia has a long term research agreement with the University of Sydney in conjunction with Blue Farms. The University has recently submitted a funding application for the first joint research project via the ARC Linkage program, for the development of a more sustainable aquaculture feedstock based on insect larvae.

Australian GovernmentBlue Farms joint venture partner, UES Australia was awarded a $1.9 million Commercialisation Australia grant to assist with the development of the company’s first commercial scale farm.

The Federal Government’s National Food Plan Green Paper outlines the urgent requirement for new innovations and investment in food production methods. http://www.daff.gov.au/nationalfoodplan/process-to-develop/green-paper

Blue Farms, via it’s joint venture partner UES Australia, has been recognised as an industry leader in the development of more sustainable forms of food production and has received more than half a million dollars in Federal Government Tax R&D Rebates.

It has also been awarded a Federal Climate Ready grant of $478,000 to further develop the water and energy efficiency of its technology. Export Development grants have also been received.

The technology also been included in the Australian Technology Showcase.

CONTACTHead Office:

Blue Farms c/o Urban Ecological Systems Ltd

ACN: 113 695 837

Suite 2/39 Cullen Street Nimbin NSW 2480 Australia

Email: simon@bluesmartfarms.com

www.bluesmartfarms.com