When compared to coastal states like California or Louisiana, Arizona has fewer fish farms.
In the desert, where water is limited, a method called aquaponics is being advocated by some experts. This process involves utilizing fish wastewater to fertilize crops, and a fish farm in Arizona has the potential to establish a new benchmark for sustainable agriculture.
On a recent July day, two workers wearing galoshes walked through a shallow pond that had been filled with thousands of shiny, wriggling fish just a few hours earlier.
According to Tark Rush, owner of Desert Springs Tilapia, there used to be striped bass present in this area, but now they are being harvested and taken away for packaging.
Rush initially began his career as a shrimp farmer in the secluded area of Dateland, Arizona. However, 14 years ago, he made the decision to switch to raising striped bass and tilapia with the aim of increasing his income.
Rush stated that he gradually and consistently acquired knowledge and ultimately realized that he could earn some money through his endeavors.
On that day, he collected 2,000 pounds of striped bass and 6,000 pounds of tilapia, which were then carefully packaged and transported to Los Angeles and San Francisco. The reason behind this was that people in these cities are willing to pay higher prices for fish that is fresh rather than frozen.
Rush views fish farming as more than just a means of earning money; he also sees it as an opportunity to save money by recycling the fish water on his 500-acre Bermuda grass crop.
Rush explained that his plan involves placing fish in front of every location where water is being pumped. This approach will result in savings on fertilizer and reducing half of the pumping expenses.
Aquaponics explained
The fish release waste into the water, which ultimately transforms into nitrates, a key component of fertilizer. According to Rush, he effectively saves over $100,000 per year on fertilizer expenses by utilizing this water rich in nutrients. Additionally, he obtains twice the benefit from the expenses incurred in pumping groundwater from his wells.
University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences environmental science professor Kevin Fitzsimmons, who spoke via Skype, has been a strong advocate of this sustainable practice.
“We’ve been promoting farmers to be as efficient as possible,” Fitzsimmons said. “With aquaculture, they can actually get two crops out of the exact same water.”
Aquaculture, also known as fish farming, is comparable to farming fish. In Arizona’s desert, conventional crop farming necessitates significant irrigation. Due to the arid climate, a significant amount of the water utilized for crops evaporates or discharges from the fields.
Fitzsimmons stated that due to the currently low water levels in Lake Mead, which serves as a crucial water source for Arizona agriculture, there is an increased public focus that urges the need for conservation.
“So the farmers in Arizona and the rest of the southwest all need to become more efficient for economic reasons, environmental reasons, social reasons,” Fitzsimmons said. “So they’re under a lot of pressure from all sides.”
While Rush may be one of the few farmers commercially using aquaponics, it is gradually becoming a hobby-business for Glendale resident John Healy, who is the owner of Southwest Aquaponics and Fish Hatchery.
Healy said that although it doesn’t necessarily fill his pockets, it is on the verge of doing so.
Healy began cultivating tilapia four years ago, and at present, his suburban backyard is occupied by substantial above-ground fish tanks.
Backyard aquaponic gardening growing popular
Healy, who sells fish and equipment for home gardeners interested in aquaponics, aims to demonstrate sustainable growing by utilizing water pumps to circulate fish water through garden plants, eliminating the need for soil.
According to Healy, this is essentially a laboratory or area specifically designed for individuals interested in engaging in aquaponics and growing vegetables in their own backyards.
He stated that the business has nearly doubled on an annual basis.
“I see more and more dirt farmers moving to aquaponics,” he said. “Almost, I’m like doing missionary work trying to convert these people.”
As the popularity of backyard aquaponics increases, there is a possibility of a subsequent rise in commercial fish farming in the Southwest.
Tark Rush, who is currently in Dateland, anticipates that fish farming will experience an escalating growth trend in the forthcoming decade.
“Because as we get going, we’re just getting less marine fish,” Rush said. “Already at least 60 percent of the fish come from farms now. And that’s jumped up over the last five years by over 20 percent. So it’ll get bigger and bigger.”
In Arizona, where there is an ongoing drought, it is possible that obtaining two crops from a single water source could be a potential future for irrigation.
Who’s onboard in the aquaponics system farming revolution?
Fortunately, various companies are embracing the aquaponics system as an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective approach to farming, which is being recognized by farmers and food producers throughout the nation.
- Portable Farms Aquaponics Systems is a California-based technology company specializing in the training, licensing, as well as installation of aquaponics. Founder Colle Davis started the company back in 2008 with the question in mind, “Is life sustainable in the 21st century and beyond?” A decade later, Portable Farms Aquaponics System is now in 25 countries and all 50 US States.
- AquaSprouts’ goal is to bring aquaponics system aquariums to every home. Combining fish keeping and hydroponics, AquaSprouts’ gardening system is low maintenance, and free-standing and it also requires little space. It works by circulating water from a standard 10-gallon aquarium up to a garden bed which naturally fertilizes herbs, vegetables, and ornamental plants. With AquaSprout’s aquaponics system, indoor gardening is simple and fuss-free.
- Back to the Roots founders Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora aim to bring sustainable grow-at-home products into households. One of the company’s offerings is the Water Garden 2.0 which is a self-cleaning fish tank that also grows microgreens and herbs up top. With its compact and self-sustaining design, even urban dwellers and city natives can grow their own food through the aquaponics system aquarium.
- Ouroboros Farms based in California is one of the largest aquaponics system farms in the country. Ouroboros Farms partnered with local establishments to allow locals access to locally-grown organic fresh produce. The farm also offers aquaponics classes accommodating various levels of farming knowledge. Founders Jessica Patton and Ken Armstrong believe that reconnecting people again with the food source empowers communities to curb the growing food security issues.
- Solutions Farms in Vista, California is an aquaponics farm under a nonprofit organization called Solutions For Change. The farm also functions as a laboratory for the beneficiary families of the organization. As a social enterprise, Solutions Farms is empowering homeless families through sustainable farming, teaching relevant skills, and regaining financial capability.
- Edenworks is out on a mission – Brooklyn today, tomorrow the world. Founders Ben Silverman, Jason Green, and Matt La Rosa are looking for a more efficient way of growing food. Realizing that most of the country’s food is grown on the West Coast, the founders then created the opportunity to innovate on technology. The food there can be grown using the aquaponics system aquarium. They established their farm and headquarters in the Bushwick area of Brooklyn. Currently, Edenworks produce is on the shelves of select NYC Whole Foods Market and Foodtown stores.
- Traders Hill Farm is an aquaponics system aquarium located in Hilliard, Florida. Started in 2013 as an aquaponics experiment, Traders Hill Farm is now a multi-stream income segment. The repurposed 400-by-37-foot chicken barn is now producing 1,000 lbs. of fish and 4,000 lbs. of lettuce every month. But more than the income potential, Traders Hill Farm was able to provide sustainable, clean, and wholesome produce for the region.
- Trifecta Ecosystems was founded by Spencer Curry and Kieran Foran in 2012 with the mission of creating sustainable food systems for the future. As young farmers, Curry and Foran realized the need to find durable, efficient, and sustainable means to grow food in any environment. They then discovered that the aquaponics system answers all requirements. Through the initiative “City that Feeds Itself™” Trifecta Ecosystems now has a 3,500 sq. ft. indoor farm located in Meriden, CT, empowered urban farmers through education, workshops, and city farming projects.
Aquaponics systems: A steadily growing industry for steadily growing food
The aquaponics market is currently growing steadily. The global aquaponics market was valued at $523.7 million in 2017, and it is expected to reach a total market value of $870 million by 2022. The growth is supported by both commercial-scale food growers and urban backyard farmers. If this trend continues, there will be an increase in access to locally-grown fish and salad greens produced through economical and sustainable farming methods. This could lead to a world where dining tables offer dishes made from organic and farm-fresh produce. The aquaponics system aquarium is an innovative farming practice that we should look forward to embracing.
