Sacramento Food Desert Solution: Farms in a Box™

Anthony T. Jones, Ph.D. AquaponicsWerks

916.990.3699 AquaponicsWerks@gmail.com

Sacramento has “food deserts”

In the capital of ‘Farm to Fork’, areas of Sacramento County are food deserts where healthy food options are not available, convenient or assessable.

Bring appropriate scaled farms into these neighborhood develops healthier outlook in terms of nutrition.

Farm in a Box™

Modular food production

Based on ISO shipping container

Small solutions, local experimentation

Free exchange of knowledge

Aquaponic boxes

Organic fish, fruits and vegetables are produced in the street or on vacant land.

Avoid unnecessary travel

Provide meaningful food consumption

Local employment

Local produce

A Greenhouse tops a container with fish cultures

A relatively secure approach to building a farm in food deserts

Closed-loop agriculture

Various crop options, fish options and energy options are available to suit local input, local taste, local climate

Simple scaffolding

Ease of construction methods. Simple, yet effective

Adjustable scaffolding allows for reconfiguration

Crop selection dictates layout of greenhouse space.

Assessable greens and produce for easy picking

Crops can be readily monitored while growing.

20-ft container occupies parking space or vacant lot

Containers can be place in areas where appropriate and visible to the community.

Multiple arrangements can add to the yield.

As the adoption becomes more widespread within the neighborhoods, added modules can be configured to meet the increase in demand.

Benefits

• Once built, low cost of operation and maintenance.

• Seeds (1₵) grow into high quality organic produce ($3- 5/lbs) in 6 to 8 weeks.

• Periodic fish production.

• Minor water useage.

• Minor electrical useage.

For further details:

Anthony T. Jones, Ph.D.

AquaponicsWerks

AquaponicsWerks@gmail.com

916.990.3699