Aquaponics and Vermiculture Bridget Batterson
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2/5/2013 1 Perch and Tilapia are raised in a tank of water. Water from the tank is drained into a gr avel bed where the fish waste it contains is broken down by “good” bacteria, and turned into Nitrogen. The water is also filtered by watercress in the bed. This filtered water is pumped into the growing beds, with crops like greens and tomatoes. The growing beds are stacked in a vertical arrangement, making the most of their 2.5 acres. Coir, a by product of coconut shells, wicks the nutrient rich water to the plant roots. The water used by the plants will go back to the fish tank- it’s a closed system. The fish are fed worms, ground up salad greens, algae from the side of the tank, and some commercial feed. Growing Power sells fish to local restaurants. Growing Power Farm uses red wiggler and red earthworms to aid in the decomposition of their collected composts. The compost is made up of food waste, coffee grounds, and brewing waste-(beer manufacturing). Worms and bacteria break the compost down. Worm castings contain ideal amounts of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. The benefits of vermicul ture are tremendous! Soil structure is improved. Water holding capacity is improved. Nutrients and enzymes are produced by the worms as they process the compost!
Transcript of Aquaponics and Vermiculture Bridget Batterson
7/28/2019 Aquaponics and Vermiculture Bridget Batterson
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2/5/20
Perch and Tilapia are raised in a tank of water.
Water from the tank is drained into a gravelbed where the fish waste it contains is brokendown by “good” bacteria, and turned intoNitrogen.
The water is also filtered by watercress in thebed.
This filtered water is pumped into thegrowing beds, with crops like greens andtomatoes.
The growing beds are stacked in a verticalarrangement, making the most of their 2.5acres.
Coir, a by product of coconut shells, wicksthe nutrient rich water to the plant roots.
The water used by the plants will go back tothe fish tank- it’s a closed system.
The fish are fed worms, ground up saladgreens, algae from the side of the tank, andsome commercial feed.
Growing Power sells fish to local restaurants.
Growing Power Farm uses red wiggler and red
earthworms to aid in the decomposition of their collected composts.
The compost is made up of food waste,coffee grounds, and brewing waste-(beermanufacturing).
Worms and bacteria break the compost down.
Worm castings contain ideal amounts of
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. The benefits of vermiculture are tremendous!
Soil structure is improved.
Water holding capacity is improved.
Nutrients and enzymes are produced by theworms as they process the compost!
7/28/2019 Aquaponics and Vermiculture Bridget Batterson
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2/5/20
Growing Power Farm has raised beds thatthey describe as “Living Biological WormSystems”.
These beds are made with a layer of rawcompost, worms, and then are topped withcastings and topsoil.
Growing Power reports that these beds needlittle or no amendments and maintain fertilityfor 5 years!
Founded in 1993 by Will Allen to give youth aplace to do good work and provide learningopportunities.
Growing Power Farm has grown to become arecognized leader in the Urban Farminglandscape.
Education in growing food and sustainabletechniques continue to be the vital mission of Growing Power Farm.
For More Information Go To: www.growingpower.org.
