Project Overview
In 2018, the S.A.G.E. School Aquaponic Farm Education Program embarked on a mission to establish commercial aquaponic farms installed at Florida schools. This initiative aimed to provide students from elementary to high school with hands-on learning experiences that emphasized the intricate relationship between themselves and the food they consume. The program's ultimate vision is to expand its reach across the nation, arming young minds with knowledge and practical skills to make informed and health-conscious decisions regarding both personal well-being and environmental stewardship.
To date, S.A.G.E. has successfully pioneered the establishment of the world's first two commercial aquaponic farms within school environments, with additional projects on the way. These remarkable initiatives include a campus serving students from elementary to high school and another catering to those from elementary to middle school, both situated in central Florida.
Since 2018, S.A.G.E. has diligently constructed, tested, and delved into the intricate synergy between aquaponics and our students, staff, families, and their local community. The engagement of students in the cultivation of produce supplied to nearby restaurants has surpassed initial expectations, proving to be an incredibly gratifying experience. The boundless enthusiasm, active participation, and unwavering support from school staff, students and community businesses, serve as a true source of inspiration.
With a strong foundation already in place and vast untapped potential on the horizon, the following is a comprehensive overview of this vital and truly special program.
There is a growing awareness of the pivotal role farms play in shaping our culture and influencing our health. To illustrate this significance, consider a compelling historical example: In 1900, one-third of Americans resided on farms, and the cancer rate stood at a mere 5%. In stark contrast, today, fewer than 2% of Americans live on farms, yet approximately 50% of the population will experience cancer at some point in their lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), inflammation and toxins rank as the leading cause of major illnesses and premature mortality. The CDC further emphasizes the importance of adopting a diet rich in fresh produce, particularly leafy greens, as a highly effective means of mitigating inflammation. This revelation is cause for optimism, as it underscores a tangible action we can collectively take to improve our well-being.
Commercial aquaponic smart farms exemplify the symbiotic relationship between animals, bacteria, plants, and humans, within a water-based growing environment. Similarly to the natural circle of life, these aquaponic smart farm systems harness the waste produced by fish to nourish naturally occurring bacteria, which, in turn, provide nutrients for food-producing plants. Ultimately, these plants become a vital source of food for humans, who reciprocate by providing food to the fish, perpetuating this circle-of-life process. These innovative aquaponic farms yield an impressive 20-to-1 crop output per acre compared to traditional field farming while using only a fraction—just 5%—of the water. Moreover, they eliminate the need for excessive fertilizers, toxic chemical herbicides and pesticides that can accumulate in soil and seep into our waterways. Notably, produce cultivated in aquaponic systems matures more rapidly, exhibits greater abundance, and boasts superior flavor and nutritional value when compared to other commercial growing methods.
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Project Objectives
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Establish a network of commercial aquaponic smart farms at Florida schools.
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Develop a comprehensive curriculum of food production, health and the environment
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Students cultivating food for their peers, families, local restaurants, and food banks.
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Form After-school Aquaponics Clubs
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Team students with local chefs
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Teach students the power of positive activism
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Students Inviting the World to participate through crowd funding
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Why Aquaponics
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Blending commercial farms with education
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Involving students in positive social change
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Commercial Aquaponic Farms at Schools
Establishing a network of commercial aquaponic smart farms at Florida School Campuses throughout the State.
Traditionally, students spend most of their time in classrooms, with the occasional field trip offering a brief change of scenery. However, the introduction of aquaponic farms on school campuses provides students with a unique opportunity for ongoing, hands-on outdoor learning experiences. This immersive approach fosters a deeper and more enduring understanding of various subjects. Students have the chance to engage their senses by seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling the direct connection between their food and their health.
An endearing aspect of these campus aquaponic systems is the involvement of students with the fish, affectionately referred to as "our farmers." Students take delight in interacting with these aquatic cohabitants. Additionally, they develop a newfound appreciation for vegetables as they discover ones that taste great and that they enjoy eating. Comments like "I wouldn't typically snack on raw green beans, but these are amazing!" or "I don’t like tomatoes, but these are great, I'd eat them all the time" reflect the positive impact of this experiential learning.
Part of a larger network of aquaponic smart farms, these school-based farms instill a sense of ownership and active participation in the world students inhabit. They share their achievements and challenges with other school-based and private farms, contributing to a collective effort that propels the growth of this emerging industry.
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Curriculum of Food Production, Health and the Environment
Develop a comprehensive curriculum of food production, health and the environment.
Teaching through the lens of aquaponic farms offers a distinctive opportunity to weave together multiple vital topics into a coherent and holistic educational endeavor. Students enthusiastically respond to this natural interplay, which encompasses the value of diversity, the significance of environmental stewardship, personal health through nutrition, sustainable agricultural practices, green energy, community engagement, food security, responsible activism, teamwork, and more.
This curriculum delves into the realm of aquaponic food production while encouraging students to compare and contrast it with the various other methods commonly employed in our food production systems. It aims to help students appreciate the collective efforts involved in all forms of commercial food production, promoting a mindset that refrains from criticizing methods or scales they may not personally favor or endorse.
Despite the remarkable reduction in negative environmental impacts offered by aquaponics, the importance of environmental stewardship remains paramount for the future of American food production. Students learn that it is their responsibility to comprehend, support, and advocate for sustainable practices to ensure that their future generations can enjoy wholesome food and a pristine planet, just as they do. Furthermore, students witness firsthand how diversity in plant crops, fish species, and human perspectives contributes to significantly healthier and more enjoyable outcomes.
Personal health through nutrition serves as a central theme throughout the entire curriculum. Students explore the intricate connection between their life aspirations and the role their dietary choices play in shaping their health and ability to achieve their goals. To drive this point home, students are empowered to become Truth Ambassadors within their communities, sharing the knowledge they gain with their families and others in their localities.
A profound sense of community becomes an integral part of the students' learning experience. By actively contributing to their community through food production, collaboration with local chefs, supplying food to local food banks, and partnering with other school and private farms, students come to realize that they are not isolated entities in this vast world.
Through the various facets of a single farm, students grasp the paramount importance of balance in making anything of significance function effectively. They are encouraged to explore both the advantages and drawbacks of working with and without balance, discerning the critical role it plays in both farming and life as a whole.
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Students Serving Their Community
Students cultivating food for their peers, families, local restaurants, and food banks.
In an ideal scenario, this program envisions students growing produce within their own school campuses, with the ultimate goal of serving this nutritious bounty in their school cafeterias. There's no better way to close the loop than having students encourage their peers to savor the healthy produce they've nurtured.
Students are encouraged to observe and document the physical effects of their dietary choices, including the junk food they may enjoy compared to the pleasurable taste of healthier options. As they witness the positive impacts of nutritious food on their physical abilities, sports performance, skin and hair health, and overall appearance, they begin to understand how their dietary choices influence their overall well-being and their ability to pursue their dreams. They are empowered to become Knowledge Ambassadors within their communities, sharing their newfound knowledge with family and friends.
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After-school Aquaponics Clubs
For students who discover a passion for aquaponics, the After-School Aquaponics Club offers even more hands-on involvement and greater community impact, as their families become engaged and learn alongside them. This early exposure to their passion equips them with valuable skills and knowledge that will serve them well in the future.
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Students Team up with Local Chefs
Part of this program involves connecting students with local chefs from nearby restaurants to collaboratively develop new recipes using the produce they grow on school farms. Students and chefs work together, either in person or through virtual meetings, to create dishes that meet the students' taste preferences while aligning with optimal nutrition goals. These unique dishes enhance the students' health and that of their community members who dine at these restaurants. Patrons are also made aware of the students' involvement in the growing and recipe development process, adding a new dimension to local restaurant fundraising events.
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Teaching Students the Power of Positive Activism
Through this program, students discover their voice and role within their community. They experience the satisfaction of meeting the needs of those less fortunate by providing fresh, high-quality produce to local food banks. When students learn of other schools embarking on aquaponic farm initiatives, they offer support through crowdfunding campaigns and share their own experiences, fostering a sense of empathy and altruism.
Armed with knowledge about responsible food production, environmental stewardship, health and nutrition, aquaponics, and their positive contributions, students gain insight into the power of responsible, non-violent activism. They understand that it can achieve far more than destructive, self-serving actions. Interviews with local news outlets and press conferences allow students to solidify their learning and make a meaningful impact on their community.
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Inviting the World through Crowd Funding
Regrettably, it's all too common for today's young people to refrain from engaging in various social issues due to a belief that their voices won't have a meaningful impact. However, when students are empowered to connect with the global community, equipped with their captivating and commendable projects, and for them to see people from around the world reply with funding and enthusiasm, it's truly remarkable to witness their value and belief ignite. They experience firsthand the realization that they are making a tangible difference and that their contributions are genuinely appreciated.
This offers several advantages. It demonstrates to potential grant providers that students are actively involved, making them more inclined to provide funding. It also generates funding through crowdfunding initiatives and imparts truly inspirational lessons, not only to the students but also to the adults and the community at large.
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Why Aquaponics?
Aquaponics offers an efficient solution to food production, using less space than traditional field farming and providing a unique flavor experience that captures students' interest. Its environmentally friendly approach aligns with sustainability goals, making it a compelling choice for students.
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Commercial Farms and Education
Students recognize the limited impact of small-scale hobby setups at their schools. Engaging in a larger-scale initiative involving various stakeholders, including chefs, restaurants, reporters, and government officials, gives them a sense of purpose and impact.
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Students Participating in Positive Social Change
The youth are the future, and their understanding of smart farming, environmental responsibility, food security, community engagement, and the value of improved health through nutrition shapes a brighter future for the world. By involving students, we empower them to become informed and proactive stewards of their communities and the planet.