Sylvia Bernstein runs the U.S. Chapter of The Aquaponics Association:
I spoke with her regarding the availability of aquaponics information: literature, product samples, spatial/structural/lighting requirements for the implementation of aquaponics equipment and systems in a built space/environment.
http://theaquaponicsource.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Speaker-tab.pdf
http://theaquaponicsource.com/blog/
Introduced myself as a college student enrolled in an architecture class focused on materials and sustainability with the potential to be involved in an aquaponics project in Lexington, KY.
Sylvia asked if the project would be strictly commercial farming (for profit), or farming with a social component similar to a community garden (private, shared use, not for profit). Not being entirely certain I answered that it would likely involve aspects of both.
Sylvia explained that a commercial farming facility looking to maximize profit would need to focus on implementing more of a deep water culture mono-cropping setup - more information on this as I acquire it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaponics
A deep water system is very efficient and easy to harvest provided your labor is optimized.
Sylvia recently completed a book on aquaponics geared toward the private homeowner interested in starting their own aquaponic garden:
http://theaquaponicsource.com/2011/05/26/the-aquaponic-gardening-book-is-available-for-pre-order/
Regarding aquaponic compatable plants (plants benefiting from fish waste water), leafy greens are best, fruiting plants do not work as well.
Aquaponics, in its contemporary, engineered form, is a relatively new phenomenon, showing up in the last ten years.
Sylvia advised that, like any industry, there are many resources available that are willing to share knowledge and information as well as businesses that operate either through paid consultation, consultation and equipment sales, or through a combination of equipment sales, consultation, and installation. I have begun to encounter both.
Here are some of Sylvia's recommendations for information:
http://www.greenacreorganics.biz/
Green Acre Organics is run by two women who used to run a construction company. They are organized and good at what they're doing, according to Sylvia, due in no small part to the fact that Sylvia herself has been consulting them!
They used to be affiliated with Friendly Aquaponics but left on less than good terms to start their own shop. Apparently Friendly Aquaponics may not be so friendly?
http://www.friendlyaquaponics.com/
Here is another recommended source in Milwaukee, WI. They started with Growing Power, (whom I mentioned in a previous post - http://www.growingpower.org/.) Apparently, according to Sylvia, Growing Power's wheelhouse covers many aspects of vertical farming, but they are not necessarily the best example to follow in terms of aquaponics - more of my own investigation into this to follow:
http://sweetwater-organic.com/
This link is to an online aquaponics forum (which I just remembered I need to join, hopefully to connect with people practicing aquaponics in the state of Kentucky).
http://aquaponicscommunity.com/
Aquaponics equipment supplier - will contact this week Re: any information/samples they may be able to offer:
https://aquaponics.com/
Murray Hallam has years of experience with aquaponics:
http://www.aquaponics.net.au/
This was a very informative conversation and it appears that Sylvia will be a great guide as I continue to search for information on aquaponics.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Links for exploration in subsequent blog posts
https://louisville.edu/kppc/
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/
http://www.facebook.com/
http://www.peerfoods.com/
http://aquaponicsjournal.com/
http://www.factoryfarmmap.org/#animal:all;location:US;year:2007
http://www.cellmark.com/
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/
http://www.dreamandhustle.com/
http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/
http://citeseer.ist.psu.edu/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/
http://aquaponicsjournal.com/
http://www.factoryfarmmap.org/#animal:all;location:US;year:2007
http://www.cellmark.com/
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/
http://www.dreamandhustle.com/
http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/
http://citeseer.ist.psu.edu/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
U of L Bioenergy Symposium Nov. 17th
https://louisville.edu/kppc/news-and-events/bioenergy-symposium.ics/view
Link to the Agenda, could be interesting in terms of getting a sense of the current state of the art so to speak as well as the progress or lack thereof?
http://kyagsummit.com/agenda/bionergy-symposium-agenda/
Link to the Agenda, could be interesting in terms of getting a sense of the current state of the art so to speak as well as the progress or lack thereof?
http://kyagsummit.com/agenda/bionergy-symposium-agenda/
Cradle To Cradle: Remaking The Way We Make Things : Chapter 5
Chapter 5: "Respect Diversity":
nature's design framework: a flowering of diversity, a flowering of abundance. It is Earth's response to its once source of incoming energy: the sun. (pg. 118-119).
(pg 119):
The current design response of humans to this framework might be called "attack of the one-size-fits-all". Layers of concrete and asphalt obliterate forests, deserts, coastal marshes, jungles - everything in their path.
Buildings that present a bland, uniform front rise in communities where structures were for decades, even centuries, beautiful and culturally distinct.
The monotony spreads and spreads, overwhelming the details of place in its path. What it seems to seek is simply more of itself.
We see this as de-evolution - simplification on a mass scale - and it is not limited to ecology.
Against this tide of sameness, we advance the principle "respect diversity".
nature's design framework: a flowering of diversity, a flowering of abundance. It is Earth's response to its once source of incoming energy: the sun. (pg. 118-119).
(pg 119):
The current design response of humans to this framework might be called "attack of the one-size-fits-all". Layers of concrete and asphalt obliterate forests, deserts, coastal marshes, jungles - everything in their path.
Buildings that present a bland, uniform front rise in communities where structures were for decades, even centuries, beautiful and culturally distinct.
The monotony spreads and spreads, overwhelming the details of place in its path. What it seems to seek is simply more of itself.
We see this as de-evolution - simplification on a mass scale - and it is not limited to ecology.
Against this tide of sameness, we advance the principle "respect diversity".
Cradle To Cradle: Remaking The Way We Make Things : Introduction
Familiar scene, the comforts of home:
fabric: mutagenic materials, heavy metals, dangerous chemicals, dyes, fabric particles abrade (allowing them to be breathed in).
computer: toxic gases, toxic metals, more than one thousand different kinds of materials including cadmium, lead, mercury, acids, plastics, chlorinated and brominated substances, dust from printer toner, nickel, cobalt, mercury
"This Book Is Not A Tree": synthetic paper, Charles Melcher, Melcher Media, http://melcher.com/
plastic resin, inorganic fibers, prototype for the book as a 'technical nutrient'.
"Towards A New Industrial Revolution": Bill's experience with the Bedouin: Jordan River Valley: scarcity of local resources - food, soil, energy, water.
Tents of woven goat hair . . .drew hot air up and out, creating shade and a breeze in the interiors.
Fibers swelled when wet, structure becomes tight as a drum - portable, easily repaired.
Back in the U.S., graduate school, energy effiiciency the only real environmental topic.
Solar power piqued in the 1970's corresponding with soaring gas prices.
1984 Environmental Defense Fund.
Subject of indoor air quality new at the time: V.O.C.'s, carcinogenic materials, paints, wall coverings, carpetings, flooring, and fixtures.
Little cooperation from manufacturers beyond material safety data sheets.
Notion of design as a signal of intent.
Michael: Professor Friedholm Korte - instrumental in invention of ecological chemistry.
Green Action Future Party - Greenpeace
Action beyond ill-informed protesting the chemical spills by big companies Sandoz and Ciba-Geigy.
Anton Schaerli, director of the company expressed concern.
Michael becomes the director of the EPEA (Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency).
A world of abundance, not limits.
Drawing inspiration from ants: all the ants on the planet, taken together, have a biomass greater than that of humans. Ants have been incredibly industrious for millions of years. Yet their productiveness nourishes plants, animals, and soil. Human industry has been in full swing for little over a century, yet it has brought about a decline in almost every ecosystem on the planet.
fabric: mutagenic materials, heavy metals, dangerous chemicals, dyes, fabric particles abrade (allowing them to be breathed in).
computer: toxic gases, toxic metals, more than one thousand different kinds of materials including cadmium, lead, mercury, acids, plastics, chlorinated and brominated substances, dust from printer toner, nickel, cobalt, mercury
"This Book Is Not A Tree": synthetic paper, Charles Melcher, Melcher Media, http://melcher.com/
plastic resin, inorganic fibers, prototype for the book as a 'technical nutrient'.
"Towards A New Industrial Revolution": Bill's experience with the Bedouin: Jordan River Valley: scarcity of local resources - food, soil, energy, water.
Tents of woven goat hair . . .drew hot air up and out, creating shade and a breeze in the interiors.
Fibers swelled when wet, structure becomes tight as a drum - portable, easily repaired.
Back in the U.S., graduate school, energy effiiciency the only real environmental topic.
Solar power piqued in the 1970's corresponding with soaring gas prices.
1984 Environmental Defense Fund.
Subject of indoor air quality new at the time: V.O.C.'s, carcinogenic materials, paints, wall coverings, carpetings, flooring, and fixtures.
Little cooperation from manufacturers beyond material safety data sheets.
Notion of design as a signal of intent.
Michael: Professor Friedholm Korte - instrumental in invention of ecological chemistry.
Green Action Future Party - Greenpeace
Action beyond ill-informed protesting the chemical spills by big companies Sandoz and Ciba-Geigy.
Anton Schaerli, director of the company expressed concern.
Michael becomes the director of the EPEA (Environmental Protection Encouragement Agency).
A world of abundance, not limits.
Drawing inspiration from ants: all the ants on the planet, taken together, have a biomass greater than that of humans. Ants have been incredibly industrious for millions of years. Yet their productiveness nourishes plants, animals, and soil. Human industry has been in full swing for little over a century, yet it has brought about a decline in almost every ecosystem on the planet.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Donald Colliver BAE:
oxidation, water, salt - UK's ped-way deterioration example (steel/concrete)
Buildings and Sustainability Issues:
- Why Are Buildings Important? (Secretary of Energy Chu, data)
- 3/4 electrical energy
- 40% primary energy usage (Electricity is the growing source of building energy)
Total U.S. Energy Consumption
Buildings are the fastest growing energy consumer.
Buildings' Environmental Footprint is Large
-natural gas, coal
Lighting one of the largest energy users.
Heating is the other.
Design Load Influence Map
Design Load Influence Percentages (EUI Percentages)
EUI Energy Utilization Intensity CBECS Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey
www.highperformancebuildings.gov
National Renewable Energy Lab
Ag. Training Center, Lexington, KY
Bowling Green, KY school
LEED: GreenBuild Toronto, Canada
EPA, Energy Star, H.E.R.S. (residential)
www.ashrae.org/aedg
oxidation, water, salt - UK's ped-way deterioration example (steel/concrete)
Buildings and Sustainability Issues:
- Why Are Buildings Important? (Secretary of Energy Chu, data)
- 3/4 electrical energy
- 40% primary energy usage (Electricity is the growing source of building energy)
Total U.S. Energy Consumption
Buildings are the fastest growing energy consumer.
Buildings' Environmental Footprint is Large
-natural gas, coal
Lighting one of the largest energy users.
Heating is the other.
Design Load Influence Map
Design Load Influence Percentages (EUI Percentages)
EUI Energy Utilization Intensity CBECS Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey
www.highperformancebuildings.gov
National Renewable Energy Lab
Ag. Training Center, Lexington, KY
Bowling Green, KY school
LEED: GreenBuild Toronto, Canada
EPA, Energy Star, H.E.R.S. (residential)
www.ashrae.org/aedg
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