Aquaponics and Greenhouse Pioneers Partner to Deliver Education and Integrated Food Growing Solutions
Longmont, Co (PRWEB) September 22, 2016 -- Colorado Aquaponics and Ceres Greenhouse Solutions have partnered to create super energy-efficient, integrated aquaponic greenhouses. The new greenhouse designs build off each companies’ years of research, development and operations in their respective industries. Colorado Aquaponics designs high-yield aquaponic systems for home hobbyist, schools and community-scale farms. Ceres Greenhouse Solutions creates greenhouse structures using passive solar design principles and renewable heating/cooling methods. Now, through a strategic partnership, the companies will deliver integrated designs that pair space-efficient, hybrid aquaponic systems with high-performance year-round greenhouses.
One of the best ways to get started on the path to greater self-reliance, and aquaponic greenhouse food production is through education. Both companies are passionate about educating customers on the amazing growing opportunities that owning an aquaponic greenhouse offers. Empowered with information, home hobbyist can grow nutritious food for their families, schools can teach Science, Technology, Engineering and Math principles, and small farmers can produce high quality vegetables, fruits and herbs year round for their customers. Upcoming training sessions for Aquaponics Growing are on October 15th at Flourish Farms @ The GrowHaus in Denver, CO and Greenhouse Design hosted at The Aquaponic Source in Longmont, Co on Oct 16th. In addition, those interested in aquaponics farming can benefit from attending the 4-day Aquaponic Farming Course at Colorado Aquaponic’s Flourish Farms @ The GrowHaus, in Denver, CO Oct 27th – 30th, 2016.
“Education is one of the best investments someone can make to empower themselves to successfully grow a lot of food.” says Tawnya Sawyer, co-owner of Colorado Aquaponics, and The Aquaponic Source. “An energy-efficient greenhouse has the potential to be a truly sustainable, self-sufficient food system", adds JD.
The aquaponic greenhouses feature Ceres’ scalable steel frame structures, with an insulated north wall and tri-wall polycarbonate glazing. The energy-efficient materials deliver a more controlled, year-round growing environment that reduces the natural resource demands for heating and cooling typically associated with traditional greenhouse structures. In turn, the greenhouse benefits from added thermal mass of aquaponic fish tanks and deep water culture, which help to stabilize and regulate temperature. Combined, the two components creates a natural synergy that enables aquaponic operations to grow more efficiently, sustainably and year-round in a wide range of climates.
“Our CERES greenhouse in Leadville is in full bloom at 10,800 ft., producing summer squash, tomatoes, basil, and figs, even though it regularly drops to negative 20 degrees at night,” said Marc Plinke, Ceres’ co-founder. “The Leadville structure is a net-zero greenhouse where if electricity is needed for temperature control it is provided by a solar PV system attached to the owner’s home. The majority of the heating and cooling comes from the sun and our energy-efficient design.”
CERES pre-fabricated aquaponics greenhouses will be offered in a range of sizes, such as a 23’ x 40’ for back-yard growers, or a 30’ x 96’ for small-scale farm businesses. Growers have the option of purchasing just the designs or a pre-fabricated structure and system components. In addition, both companies offer custom design, engineering, training and consulting services tailored to each grower’s needs.
About Colorado Aquaponics, Flourish Farms and The Aquaponic Source
Colorado Aquaponics was founded in 2009 by JD and Tawnya Sawyer. They have constructed and operated a wide variety of home systems as well as run Flourish Farms - a 3,000 sq ft aquaponic farm located in Arvada, Co, which moved to a 3,000 sq ft facility in partnership with the GrowHaus a non-profit located in Northeast Denver food desert community, and now a 5,000 sq ft system at the Mental Health Center of Denver, Dahlia Campus. This work has provided an opportunity to prove that this innovative farming method is socially appropriate, environmentally responsible, and financially viable. In 2015, the Sawyer’s acquired The Aquaponic Source in Longmont, Co to complete their product offering with a full range of aquaponic systems, and components, to support this fast growing industry. More information can be found http://www.theaquaponicsource.com and http://www.coloradoaquaponics.com.
About Ceres Greenhouse Solutions
Ceres Greenhouse Solutions designs and builds super energy-efficient greenhouses, for year-round growing without significant energy costs. Their technology is applied to a range of markets, including back-yard gardeners, small-scale farms and commercial operations. Ceres also specializes in renewable heating and cooling systems. Ceres’ Ground to Air Heat Transfer (GAHT) system uses the natural, stable temperature of the earth below ground to provide year-round heating and cooling at a fraction of the cost of traditional HVAC systems. This allows growing in harsh climates with little to no heating and cooling cost. More information can be found at http://www.ceresgs.com.
Tawnya Sawyer, The Aquaponic Source, http://www.theaquaponicsource.com, +1 (303) 720-6604 Ext: 2, [email protected]
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