For profit business

Evo Farm

* First commercial aquaponics farm in LA County (LA Times http://goo.gl/xmTck) * First aquaponic system at LAUSD ( http://vimeo.com/41029703) * First hyper-local, living produce, better-than-organic sold at SoCal Farmers market (LA Times- http://goo.gl/s3twp) * Created the Art & Science of Aquaponics course- the first backyard/ DIY aquaponics class in SoCal (LA Times- http://goo.gl/mGmPQ) * Consultant on some of the largest aquaponics projects in CA (http://goo.gl/LE1Bu) * Designer of the smallest, yet highest yielding per square foot, Aquaponics system… just about anywhere. (Dream Garden http://goo.gl/JG1Sv) * Free farm tours to 1000’s of visitors * Co-orchestrated the debut of aquaponics at the CA State Fair, reaching 500,000 visitors (Sacramento Bee http://goo.gl/0HuYp ) * Presented AP @ the Seedstock Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Conference at UCLA Anderson School of Management (Seedstock) * Completely open-source, share all our secrets and spread the gospel of AP to all * Re-introducing taste to living food (Edible Westside http://goo.gl/KydmV)

1 Submitted Idea

  • 2013 Grants Challenge

    25 Aquaponic Farms in 25 Schools

    Food IS the common thread that can help solve the world’s major problems simultaneously. Urban farming points us in the right direction and aquaponics is the vehicle to get us there. Aquaponics is the most sustainable (economically and environmentally) way to grow food on the planet – most water efficient, highest yields, zero waste, better-than-organic, with incredible taste. It is a closed-loop system that combines aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (growing food in water). We developed a highly efficient model that grows more food per square foot than just about anything, using vertical grow- towers. The rendering posted above can produce up to 1000 plants per year in just 20 square feet in optimal conditions. Aquaponics grows leafy greens, herbs and fruiting crops along with edible or ornamental fish. After several years of operating different types of aquaponic systems we have found this approach to be the easiest and most efficient way to learn, teach and jump right into the excitement of growing your own food. OUR PLAN: We are prepared to install 25 of our unique aquaponic systems in 25 schools in 2013. Each school will receive training based on our existing course and manual (Art & Science of Aquaponics) coupled with maintenance and support. We will also encourage installation of the vertical grow-tower system to become a class project. Additionally, we have also budgeted to pay a stipend to 4 teachers to help us convert our course into a curriculum that meets CA State Standards. Integrated Environmental Education (including urban farming) has been proven by our partner Environmental Charter High School to lead to the highest graduation rates (and acceptance to 4-year colleges) in the US. Aquaponics is the future of farming on planet Earth. By combining the two, aquaponics + education, what better way to cultivate a resilient community?