DESCRIPTION OF COURSE 001

The series starts with an overview of aquaponics systems, then fish and vegetable selection, fish management, saltwater considerations, flow-through systems, efficient use of byproducts for organic fertilizer and methane production, using solar energy for maximum benefit, greenhouse selection and low-cost construction, building a small aquaponics system very inexpensively.

The videos are of the recent seminar given in NC.

Here is the course description prepared by the instructor Charlie Johnson, founder and president of Aquaculture International, a non-profit organization

( www.aquacultureinternational.org ):

INTEGRATED AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS COURSE

"Are you interested in learning to produce a constant supply of fish and vegetables as an innovative business, a school project, as an outreach in a needy neighborhood, at an orphanage, or even as a "Helps Ministry" in other countries? If so, you will want to attend a practical course entitled, "Integrated Agricultural Systems" held at Camp Living Water, Bryson City, NC, March 7-11, 2005. Instruction will focus on "Aquaponics," which is the combining of aquaculture and hydroponics for mutual benefit. It will also give an expanded overview of how it can be practically used to integrate all types of agricultural systems, bringing them into a natural balance and turning waste products into an asset. Course participants will learn the techniques of inexpensively constructing and operating these systems which are adaptable to all types of environments. Field trips will be taken to a small-scale high school aquaponics system, a large commercial hydroponic lettuce operation and a greenhouse aquaponics facility heated by methane from a closed municipal landfill.

On Friday, each attendee will be given an opportunity to construct a highly productive, small-scale system from barrels, capable of producing fish and a large variety of vegetables, greens &herbs. This will serve as a learning facility before using as an effective outreach or expanding to a larger operation."

RUNNING TIME: approximately 9.5 hours