Who is the best Aquaponic mentor?

SUGGESTION: If you haven’t read our new Welcome II page and its updated information find it at the top of the AQ Overview page.

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I don’t know. Someone local pioneer, like Chris Gimbel at Aquaworld, who is testing several systems is an available face-to-face local source. GGG Admin is currently working on discovering others in and around Galion that have a working aquaponic system up, running and willing to share their experiences.

The books I have referred to on the GGG BlogSpot; the articles and videos all have good stuff to consider. Murray Hallam, from Australia is the apparent God-Father of Aquaponics. Will Allen of Growing Power in WI and Sylvia Bernstein in CO each have contributed to our understanding of this sustainable food growing system through their books and videos.

The YouTube videos that are made by well-intentioned individuals, particularly those who have shared their do-it-yourself construction of aquaponic systems and accessories are more than helpful. Even those that have a product or information for sale serve an educational purpose.

I enjoy many YouTube contributors, even though some of them use hydroponic methods which can easily be converted to aquaponics.

To clarify: Hydroponics uses petroleum based nutrients that are as harmful to the Earth upon disposal, in the same manner as the in-ground farmers that use pesticides and chemicals. Aquaponics is a natural ecological growing system using fish waste-water to feed the plants and the plants clean the water for return to the fish tank.

Other YouTubers are promoting in-soil growing. Their expertise helps any beginner. The videos of larger commercial aquaponic/hydroponic producers are of value because efficiency and cost effectiveness is one of their major concerns which provides us with insight toward future expansion of our own production.

My advice?  Search through the tabs. Find something that strikes your fancy. If a YouTuber impresses you subscribe to their channel, peruse their past productions and you will automatically be notified when they do future videos. If you find a website, blog, Facebook or Twitter page of interest to you, bookmark it and follow them.

If someone wants to start a Galion Aquaponic Gardening Facebook page or Twitter - feel free to do so.  [HINT - HINT !!!] If we all talk-it-up perhaps one day we will have a thriving Community Supported Agricultural complex in the food desert currently known as Uptowne Galion.

For comments use Contact tab upper right corner.  Thank you!
~GGG~

2 Articles Providing Horror/Hope

SUGGESTION: If you haven’t read our new Welcome II page and its updated information find it at the top of the AQ Overview page.

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Get Ready for Extra Helpings of Feces, Pus and Chlorine on Your Plate — America is Deregulating Its Meat Industry

AlterNet News Article / By Martha Rosenberg       October 4, 2013

Having recently been disturbed by several articles like the one above about the meat products being served in schools and meat markets; the meat being *pink slime* and other ground fowl meats being made of sinew and cartilage, I found the article below suggesting that a new alternative is becoming available.

Reinventing Meat

Fortune Magazine Article / By Marc Gunther | Fortune – Fri, Oct 4, 2013

The following evaluation within this article struck me as important – “It takes four-tenths of a pound of feed, mostly soy and pea protein, to make a pound of Beyond Meat. (A chicken breast is more than 60% water.) By comparison, even after decades of selective breeding and production efficiencies, broilers require nearly three pounds of feed, mostly corn and soy, to yield a pound of ready-to-cook chicken.”

That quote is similar to the difference between feeding our farm animals grain and feeding them aquaponic grown fodder. The fodder is more beneficial to the animals and 1 pound of grain becomes 5 to 8 pounds of fodder, cutting feed costs as much as 75%.  [See: Fodder under the Crops tab.]

Lots to mull over in both articles.  Fortunately, we have Aquaponics as a starting point to become more self-reliant and pursue sustainable and ecologically-friendly food sources and production on our own.

For comments use Contact tab upper right corner.  Thank you!
~GGG~

Community Garden Meeting at Galion Resource Center

SUGGESTION: If you haven’t read our new Welcome II page and its updated information find it at the top of the AQ Overview page.

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Michael McNeill, Director of GRC hosted a meeting today.
He was well-prepared with a print-out overview of what needed
to occur for a Galion Community Garden to become a reality.

It was noted that several individuals and groups within Galion had
recently expressed their interest in a similar project and that all
those people needed to be brought together in a productive effort.

The City Parks and Recreation Committee has an open forum meeting set for Monday, Oct.7th, at 5 p.m. in the reception area at City Hall to address citizens' ideas and concerns within the committee's purview.

GGG will be there.  Join us!

For comments use Contact tab upper right corner.  Thank you!
~GGG~

Ohio School Teaching Aquaponic Gardening!

SUGGESTION: If you haven’t read our new Welcome II page and its updated information find it at the top of the AQ Overview page.

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Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy aquaponics at Krohn Conservatory and Cincinnati Zoo

SEE at: CHCA-OH

CHCA science teachers in partnership with Self-Sustaining Enterprises.

The above article chronicles what the collaboration of educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and civic government can generate. This type of community supported education, experimentation, and implementation is a goal that we of Galion Garden Group are committed to for the benefit of individual families and the community at large.  also...

The students are using one of our mentors’ books ‘Aquaponic Gardening’ by Sylvia Bernstein as a high school level text.

For comments use Contact tab upper right corner.  Thank you!
~GGG~

Two Valuable Meetings - Short Notice!

SUGGESTION: If you haven’t read our new Welcome II page and its updated information find it at the top of the AQ Overview page.

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Michael McNeill, Director of the Galion Resource Center is hosting a free Community Gardens Meeting on Friday October 4th, 11:00 - 11:30.

His announcement emphasizes that the goal of Community Gardening is to build strong communities through wholesome natural foods and hard work. The GRC believes that everyone should have access to good, locally grown healthy foods.  At our first meeting we will discuss the details of our program and how you can get involved.

GGG Admin will be attending.

ALSO...
This is a reprint from Galion Live

Rain Barrels and Rain Gardens?
Thursday, October 10 6:30 PM Lowe-Volk Park
Want to learn more about the benefits of rain barrels and rain gardens? There are many things to consider if you would like to install them in your landscape. Join Mike Hall, Program Administrator for the Crawford Soil and Water Conservation District, who will provide information and answer your questions about these important environmental practices. When we all do our small part to improve the quality of water in our streams, rivers and lakes, it makes a huge difference!

Both meetings show that there is an interest and information available in the Galion Area. Catch the meetings if you can.

SEE: Intro to URBAN Permaculture 0 which is also in our Self-Sustainability Tab for an example of how one family captures the rain.

For comments use Contact tab upper right corner.  Thank you!
~GGG~

Oktoberfest and Aquaponic Gardening was a success!

SUGGESTION: If you haven’t read our new Welcome II page and its updated information find it at the top of the AQ Overview page.

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Lots of things were put in motion regarding Aquaponic Gardening in Galion in mid-September.

Chris Gimbel at Aquaworld prepared several more Starter Aquaponic Gardening demos. His own creation, the Indoor Tank-Top Herb Garden was displayed in his store's window. A banner ad was placed on the Galion Live home page. Information pages about Sprouting and Micro-Greens were prepared for visitors during Oktoberfest.

Chris reported that dozens of visitors were enthusiastically interested in what he was able to show them. The banner ad on Galion Live drew almost three times the page views than the previous month.

All-in-all, it was a good result. We are getting the word out about the value of Aquaponic Gardening and its simplicity. Let us know how your Aquaponic experience is going.

For comments use Contact tab upper right corner.  Thank you!
~GGG~

USDA announces Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funding

SUGGESTION: If you haven’t read our new Welcome II page and its updated information find it at the top of the AQ Overview page.

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REAP offers financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses to purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.

SEE: Support Documents/REAP

USDA has announced funding for 631 projects across the nation that will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce their energy consumption and costs, use renewable energy technologies in their operations and/or conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects. Grant and loan funding is made available through the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program. Under the terms of REAP, up to 25 percent of an eligible energy production or conservation project can be funded through a grant, and additional support can be provided in the form of a loan. The current announcement includes almost $300,000 in grants to 19 agricultural producers and rural businesses to conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy systems.

Ohio Recipients

- Graphite Sales, Inc., $23,060,to replace graphite dryer

- Chase Chicken, LLC, $49,850, for installation of a biomass boiler

- Kruegar Farms, LLC, $37,340, to replace grain dryer

- Dovetail Energy, LLC, $500,000 plus loan of  $2,125,000, for construction of an anaerobic digester

- Trico Enterprises, LLC, $37,500, to switch operation from diesel to electric

- Jeffery E. Duling, $34,600, for installation of a photovoltaic solar system

- David P. Maag, $42,650, for installation of a photovoltaic solar system

For comments use Contact tab upper right corner.  Thank you!
~GGG~

Calling All Aquaponics Advocates - Worthy Survey

SUGGESTION: If you haven’t read our new Welcome II page and its updated information find it at the top of the AQ Overview page.

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Our interest, experience and opinions are wanted!

 

Researchers from three universities – Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland and West Virginia University – are combining forces to conduct the largest survey of the aquaponics field. The survey will collect critical information about production methods and community engagement among aquaponics hobbyists, educators, farmers and companies. The responses will help contribute to a better understanding of this growing field. This confidential online survey takes about 5 minutes to complete, and survey respondents can enter a lottery to win one of four $75 Amazon gift certificates. The research team is encouraging individuals to take the survey and share it with others in the aquaponics community. The survey can be accessed here: Questions or comments can be directed to Dr. Dave Love, Assistant Scientist at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (dlove@jhsph.edu). For comments use Contact tab upper right corner.  Thank you! ~GGG~

Crawford County Farm Bureau Event

SUGGESTION: If you haven’t read our new Welcome II page and its updated information find it at the top of the AQ Overview page.

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Short notice, I know. This is a group, doing great things for the farm industry that we should align ourselves with.
The Crawford County Farm Bureau, in partnership with the Crawford County Cattlemen's Association and the Bucyrus and Galion-Crestline Chambers of Commerce, will celebrate the role local farmers play in the local, national, and global food systems with their first-ever A Taste of Crawford County. The event will be held Thursday, September 12, 2013, from 5pm to 8pm in the Youth Building on the Crawford County Fairgrounds. Tickets are $8 for Farm Bureau members and $10 for non-members.

Tickets are available at area Chambers of Commerce or by calling 800-327-6055. A portion of the proceeds of the event will be donated to area food banks.

For comments use Contact tab upper right corner.  Thank you!
~GGG~

 

Aquaponics gardening is a proven success in Galion!

SUGGESTION: If you haven’t read our new Welcome II page and its updated information find it at the top of the AQ Overview page.

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Chris Gimbel at KC's Aquaworld took a leap of faith and agreed to collaborate with GGG Admin and set-up an experimental aquaponics rail system to grow fresh greens in his store to feed his livestock.

These pictures show the 1st day, 7-26-2013 to 8-31-2013 progress...


             

  

  

Plants            10 Days Later             Roots

  

  

Plants                8-31-2013                  Roots

Throughout the experience Chris and Rick discussed and researched other structures and methods for growing fresh, non-GMO food with considerations for a family aquaponics garden. Frankly we've been all over the map with ideas.

 Visit Chris at KC's Aquaworld and see demonstration models of aquaponics gardening. You will be glad you did!

For comments use Contact tab upper right corner.  Thank you!
~GGG~