“Each garden provides exciting learning opportunities in STEM, food and nutrition, and environment stewardship. As a result, students think in new ways, becoming smarter, healthier, and more compassionate people. By building 100 of these gardens, we can cultivate a generation of people who think in new ways, ensuring the sustainability of the human species and the planet on which we depend.”
– Sam Fleming – Co-Founder and Executive Director
There’s a recurring question about our work: “Why aquaponics? The answer is less than obvious. It’s not simply that aquaponics is a highly effective way to teach and grow food. Our reason goes deeper, having to do with human hearts and minds – how we think and feel.
Aquaponic gardens reveal the inner workings of nature—cycles, patterns, and interdependence. As we begin to understand how everything is connected, we start to think in new ways.
Aquaponics is a method of farming that raises edible freshwater fish and vegetables in a symbiotic ecosystem. The fish provide nutrients via their waste, and the plants use the nutrients, cleaning the water for the fish.
Aquaponics is a powerful tool for inspiring new ways of thinking about education, food, and the environment by engaging students in K–12 schools, correctional facilities, and community-based food production.
Aquaponic gardens can be used for home-scale food production, commercial-scale food production, education, workforce development, and community initiatives. Learn more about the applications of aquaponics
