Having been founding members of the Aquaponic Association, we encourage everyone throughout the aquaponic industry to encourage congress to recognize aquaponics as a innovative, safe and viable food production method of the future. The Aquaponic Association has put together a recommendation letter that it will be submitting to congress on January 31. The entire letter including supporting aquaponic hobbyist, schools and farmers is included below. To add your name to the list, please complete this form or email brian.filipowich@gmail.com. As an industry, we can prove the incredible benefits that aquaponics promotes for the health of our families, greater self reliance for communities, increased knowledge and all in harmony with nature. Please take a minute to show your support by signing the letter using the form link above. Thank you for your continued involvement.
February 1, 2018
Members of Congress
Washington, DC
To Members of Congress
We request that the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill include aquaponic agriculture on a level playing-field with traditional agriculture. All U.S. Farm Bill programs relating to crop insurance, crop subsidies, agricultural research and conservation should apply equally to aquaponics as to traditional soil agriculture.
Aquaponic growers around the world have proven that we can provide the freshest, healthiest produce in any environment with the fewest resources. We employ water-based, recirculating systems of fish, plants and bacteria to produce vegetables, fruits and fish (edible or ornamental).
In every state across the country, aquaponic growers are supplying markets and restaurants; growing for their own diet; teaching STEM education; and contributing to sustainability research.
Aquaponic agriculture has many nationwide benefits:
• Less water use – Aquaponic systems use over 90% less water than traditional agriculture per pound of produce.
• Local economic growth – Aquaponics can be performed from cities to deserts, offering jobs and local economic growth anywhere.
• No antibiotics – Aquaponic systems are naturally incompatible with antibiotics; growers rely on a diverse microbial ecosystem for natural disease suppression.
• Less food miles – Aquaponics can deliver fresh produce in any environment which will reduce carbon use, food spoilage, and nutrient depletion.
• Better food safety – Controlled-environment greenhouses minimize the risk of outdoor contamination hazards that cause most outbreaks.
• No toxic runoff – Aquaponic systems are closed-loop and do not emit the harmful agricultural runoff that causes aquatic dead-zones.
• No synthetic chemicals – Aquaponic systems are naturally incompatible with synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
• Less land-use and soil erosion – Aquaponics can be practiced anywhere, and plants can yield over 150% more produce than traditional agriculture per grow area.
Aquaponics can help meet the nutrition needs of a growing population, generate local economic growth, and benefit our environment. Please ensure that the 2018 U.S. Farm BiIl supports aquaponics in the same manner it supports traditional agriculture.
This letter is on behalf of the undersigned organizations and individuals:
Alabama
Southern Organics
Arizona
Sharon Swanick
Arkansas
CGE Bridgetown Farm
Zac Wolfe
California
Aone Development
MicrogreensLA
Larry Barker
Frank Basso
Colorado
The Aquaponic Source
Colorado Aquaponics
The Growhaus
Northsider Farms
Jennifer Sullivan
Connecticut
Trifecta Ecosystems, Inc.
Kenneth, Judy Handwerker
Bill Martin
Florida
Abundant Gardens
The Aquaponic Doctors
Georgia
Aquaplanet
HATponics, Inc
Heavenly Host Farm
Jared Conner
Todd Hilton
Hawaii
Kerry Beane
Iowa Hungry Goat Farms
Brian Traughber
Illinois
Central Illinois Aquaponics Co.
Fruiting Mushrooms LLC
Louisiana
NoLa Aquafarms
Sharon Foreman
Kelly Gordon
Ken Rust
Maine
Bentley Watergardens
Missouri
Barzo
Go Big or Go Home Gardens
Melissa Voss
Mississippi
Michael Redd
North Carolina
Dr. Sarah Taber
Andrew Pender
Nevada
Honest Ponics
New Mexico
Growin’ the Gardens
Now You Know New Mexico
Sanctuary at ABQ
New York
Edenworks
Marc Maynard
Ohio
Clovernook Center for the Blind
Joe Farinacci
Dante Romine
Oklahoma
Symbiotic Aquaponic
Regina Grueul Cook
Reese Hundley
Kathy White
Oregon
CannAqua Farms
Flying Fish Company
Following Fish Farms
The Gadgeteer
Ingenuity Innovation Center
Reed’s Aquaponics
Nichole Linehan
Kathe Welche
Kate Wildrick
Pennsylvania
Laura McMillen
Rhode Island
Sara Fisler
Mark Hengen
South Carolina
Blaine Mobley
Texas
Crisp Farms
East Texas Aquaponics
H2O Produce
No Dirt Required Aquaponics
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Texas Organic Matters
Joie Curtner
Andrew Dunagan
Stephen Kennedy
Ashley Medeiros
Geoffrey Wayne Mercer
Douglas Preston
Utah
Wasatch Highschool Farm
Avenues Organics
Virginia
Robert Evans
Meg Stout
Washington
Bugland Farm
Emerald City Aquaponics LLC
Ed Favilla
Nicholas Howell
John Kennedy
Lisa Roberts
Washington, DC
Anacostia Aquaponics
CRS
Wisconsin
MKE Farmers Union
International Aquidar Acuaponia Argentina
Sarah Dadang, Banten
Paul Ladd
Aldrin Rayen