Aquaponics

Aquaponics1 — Aquaponics set-up undergoing testing in our facility.

ROOTS Solutions members are now developing some of our own low cost techniques for delivering a steady and reliable supply of fresh vegetables year around, and also raising fish in tanks where the waste products of the fish serve as fertilizer for the plants in a truly symbiotic relationship. Trials using our smaller growing medium hopefully can be transferred to a much larger sized planned expansion to serve a broader range of needs in our local community for fresh and nutritious food beyond the supermarket and independent of winter weather limitations.

Aquaponics2 — Greens grow above a tank full of fish and water plants.

The Greenhouse and the Farm

GreenhouseJUL15 — Melons and tomatoes growing in the greenhouse.

The primary aim for the greenhouse is twofold: to supply fresh food to the members of the co-op, and to cultivate specialty melons for restaurants in order to provide them with melons all year around. The first year’s batch will determine how much of a market there is for this kind of service.