By Colleen Barber, Agricultural Education, May 2027
By the year 2050, the world population is expected to reach 9.7 billion. With a need for more food produced on less land, sustainable agriculture methods are a solution many farmers are considering. Aquaponics, for example, offers high yields of crops with better water efficiency, reduced environmental impact, chemical-free farming, and less waste than traditional cultivation methods.
Leading the charge in the aquaponics exhibit is Dr. David Cline, an associate extension professor at Auburn University. With 30 years of experience, Cline is an expert in aquaculture and pond management. He also serves as the president of the World Aquaculture Society.
“Aquaponics allows you to grow 30 times the amount of vegetables, in a similar sized property, with only 10 percent of the water,” Cline said.
Aquaponics is the perfect pairing of aquaculture and hydroponics, a key component of sustainable agriculture. In this symbiotic relationship, the fish provide fertilizer for the plants and the plants provide a cleaning service for the fish by naturally filtering the water.
Whether you are interested in growing your own food or looking at starting a business, the aquaponics exhibit has something to offer for you. This system allows you to grow your own food while being aware of how your food is produced. You can ensure that there are no chemicals in your food.
Aquaponics are growing in popularity among urban farmers and eco-friendly producers. These systems allow you to produce fresh produce with environmentally low-impact methods. When growing the plants and fish, the plant part of the system is typically your money maker unless using superior fish. Aquaponics offers financial benefits as there is a reduced need for chemical fertilizers which lowers operation costs.
Incorporating aquaponics in your classroom offers endless learning opportunities. Aquaponics combines biology, chemistry, math, carpentry, food safety, and countless other aspects to create an ideal learning opportunity with real-world applications. Students interacting and observing this process creates an understanding of ecosystems and principles of sustainable agriculture.
The aquaponics exhibit brings you hands-on experience, fresh catfish, demonstrations and systems that you can use at home. The aquaponics team will have various aquaponics systems of sizes available for you to see what will best fit your needs, whether they are for school, work or home. Make sure to stop by the aquaponics exhibit to learn from the industry professionals and learn how to bring the world of aquaponics to your backyard.
