INDEPENDENCE FARM PROJECT

Designed and presented by

Scott M. Johnson

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.

Introduction:

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.

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.

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.

Explanation of Aquaponics

Aquaponics Cycle Graphic

Home Unit Layout

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.

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.

Statement of Need / Opportunity

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.

IFP Curriculum Pt1

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.

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.

IFP Curriculum Pt 2

Community Involvement & Connections

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.

IFP Curriculum Pt 3

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):

IFP Curriculum Pt 4

IFP Funding 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.

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.

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.

Recommendations / Impacts

Introduction of TransFarming

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.

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.

Lessons / Improvements

If you are interested in additional aquaponic information, Home unit plans, TransFarming or are just in Austin with a free afternoon:

Scott M. Johnson usagi_austin@yahoo.com

sj78702@gmail.com 512-897-7901

Thank you ! Any questions?