UPDATE ON AQUAPONIC FOOD PRODUCTION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING AT SANTA FE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Santa Fe Community College has been offering aquaponic education and production experience to students for the past four years in New Mexico.  Each year the facilities continue to expand, offering new opportunities to train the future aquaponic workforce and entrepreneurs.  Multiple production units currently exist including DWC, Vertical and Ebb and Flow systems using tilapia, barramundi, and goldfish effluent as the main nutrient source for plant production.  Work is ongoing with reuse of mineralized fish wastes, creating zero-discharge systems.  Unique production models are being evaluated in partnership with private businesses.  A new 12,000ft2 greenhouse was recently erected which will host hydroponic, aquaponic and algae production systems.  Students learn aquaponic application and management from small, DIY production units to larger semi-commercial scale systems.  The program provides one of the few opportunities in the world to attain college credit for courses specialized specifically on integrating fish and plants in a symbiotic system.