- This event has passed.
Aquaponic Farming Series: Growing Fish and Greens Together
November 13, 2022 @ 8:00 am - May 21, 2023 @ 5:00 pm
$270.00Full course description:
Aquaponics is the art and science of cultivating fish and plants together in a constructed, recirculating closed loop ecosystem, using natural bacterial cycles to convert fish wastes into plant nutrients. WEI’s aquaponic training series is an 7-month course combining lecture and hands-on experience. A Certificate in Beginning Aquaponics will be issued to everyone who completes at least 6 of the 7 classes.
The series will begin with basics in aquaponics and aquaculture, and then each month we’ll explore a new topic of study, including aquaponic water chemistry and fish ecology, design and equipment for aquaponic tubs, fish and plant health, planting techniques for growing aquaponic vegetables, system maintenance and equilibrium, equipment resources, lighting/energy efficiency, spawning and fish ribbons, harvesting and market planning, and regulations for aquaponic farming in Minnesota. This 7-month training will provide you with the basic information and skills needed for understanding, building, and managing a successful aquaponic system.
Readings, homework, and take-home exam:
We have one textbook for the class, Sylvia Berstein’s Aquaponic Gardening, which will be issued to students at the beginning of the class. The assigned readings will be sent to you two weeks prior to the scheduled class and give you background information for the class. You can read these or just decide to listen to Chad’s presentations. If you do read the articles, you’ll have a chance to ask Chad any questions you may have from the readings.
Homework refers to special projects or assignments we want you to complete during the month before the next class. We are hoping that each of you will develop a mini-aquaculture home system or start designing and building a larger one, if that is your goal. Homework also includes volunteering at least one day at WEI’s winter farm to help take care of the aquaponics.
The take-home exam is for everyone’s review. Chad will cover all of the material related to these questions at some point in the class. Some of you may want to complete the take-home exam to integrate and develop what you learn in the class. You can also use the exam to show future employers or post-secondary programs what you learned in WEI’s 7-month certificate class. The exam can serve as a basis for a letter of recommendation from the instructor, Chad Hebert, and from WEI’s director of education, Jacquelyn Zita, to supplement your Certificate in Beginning Aquaponics, especially if you are interested in pursuing a job in aquaculture.