LESSONS LEARNED IN STARTING A COMMERCIAL AQUAPONICS OPERATION: GREENER SCENES, LLC
Starting a commercial aquaponics operation is a challenge. They are capital intensive, require specialized technical expertise, and are supported by primarily niche markets. Success rates are improving but some sources suggest up to a 2/3 failure rate of commercial aquaponics operations, arising from excessive start-up debt, lack of experience, poor market assessment, or a combination thereof. This paper presents lessons learned by Greener Scenes, LLC of Brazil Indiana USA as their operation went from a hobby to several small proof-of-concepts to a commercial proof-of-concept. Infrastructure and operational challenges (and occasional successes) are presented. Financial variances during build-out and ramp up are summarized and production models and results are compared. The paper concludes with expansion plans as Greener Scenes moves from commercial proof-of-concept to actual commercial operation.