About Us

Meet the Founders of The Aquaponic Source: Tawnya and JD Sawyer 

Our Roots Run Deep

Since 2009 we have been researching, developing and operating aquaponic gardens and community farms. Tawnya and JD Sawyer built and operated Flourish Farms at the Growhaus, a 3,000 sq ft aquaponic farm, managing every aspect of food production, distribution, marketing, and food safety for over five years. In 2015 we built and operated a 5,400 sq ft state of the art aquaponic greenhouse in partnership with the Mental Health Center of Denver.  

Throughout this time we have been teaching farmers, designing systems and continuously improving our farms to be the best in the industry. As proud owners of the Aquaponic Source we have assembled a great team to help design, manufacture, install and support growers all over North America.  

Our Mission is to continuously improve our farms, training and support programs so that we can provide aquaponic systems that are beautiful, productive, efficient and resilient for generations to come.  

In 2015, JD and Tawnya purchased The Aquaponic Source to provide a wide range of products, turnkey aquaponic systems, design services and aquaponic classes. Since then they have designed and installed hundreds of home, school and commercial aquaponic systems around the US. Tawnya and JD have been actively involved with the non-profit Aquaponics Association and have also served on the advisory board to set aquaponic standards for the Certified Naturally Grown label. Tawnya continues to be one of the strongest advocates for aquaponics in the US and has been a leading voice in working with university professors, researchers and commercial growers to ensure they can maintain organic certification and food safety standards. JD continues to consult on system design and business plans for aquaponics while also delivering online courses and managing company operations. 

Our wonderful team of aquaponic experts loves to engage, inspire and empower home hobby, community leaders, faith based organizations, schools and farmers everyday. 

Did You Know… 

Aquaponics uses 90-99% less water than traditional farming, allows plants to grow 30-50% faster, and produces up to 20 times higher yields per acre without soil, artificial fertilizers, or pesticides. 

At The Aquaponic Source, we don't just sell kits; we engineer ecosystems. While others offer "one-size-fits-all" boxes, we specialize in Standardized Customization. Whether you are a homeowner in Seattle looking for a status-piece greenhouse or a school in California building a STEM lab, we adapt our proven engineering to fit your specific footprint and goals. 

Proven in Every Climate Our systems are built to thrive where traditional gardening fails. We've successfully deployed solutions across the extremes of North America and beyond: 

• The Entire United States: From the Pacific Northwest down to the southern tips of Florida, we proudly serve and ship to all of the USA, custom-engineering systems that adapt perfectly to any regional climate or municipal footprint. 

• The Colorado Rockies: We design for high-altitude, short-growing seasons where year-round indoor production isn't just a luxury—it's a necessity. 

• The Canadian North: Our systems provide food security in cold climates where fresh produce often travels thousands of miles to reach the table. 

• The Caribbean Islands: We help island nations overcome high import costs and thin soil by implementing water-efficient systems that turn local sun into local protein and produce. 

We know what works in the real world, not just in a lab. When you work with us, you aren't just buying equipment; you're gaining a lifetime partner in food independence. 

No two growers are exactly alike, which is why we don’t believe in forcing your vision into a pre-packaged box. Whether you are looking to create a backyard oasis, a high-tech school lab, or a commercial-grade farm, we have you covered.  

We take our decades of engineering experience and apply it to three core disciplines of soil-less growing. Each method offers unique benefits depending on your goals for production, maintenance, and space. Explore our primary systems below to see which path to food independence is right for you. 

Aquaponics:

By combining aquaculture (fish) and hydroponics (plants), we create a symbiotic environment where fish waste fertilizes your crops, and plants naturally filter the water. It’s 90% more water-efficient than traditional soil farming. 

Hydroponics:  

For those focused purely on plant yields without the fish element. Our Growasis deep water culture systems provide scalable, soil-free solutions that prioritize growth speed and nutrient control in any climate. 

Aquaculture: 

Precision fish farming. From Tilapia to Koi, our Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) allow you to raise healthy protein or ornamental fish with professional-grade filtration and ease of maintenance. 

We are extremely proud of our aquaponic farmers. They are doing amazing work in their communities growing nutritious produce and educating others on the many benefits of aquaponics. Please visit their farm websites to learn more about their farms.

Marine Education Initiative

National Council of/for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD)