Aqua Farm Update 7 Jan 2014 Dead Pump

The Aqua Farm hasnt been doing very well.  The air pump seems to have died.  For a while it was not making very good bubbles, and the water was not reaching the upper tray.  The water wouldnt circulate, and the system was not functioning properly.  I tried cutting the airline tube at different lengths to make better bubbles, and it seemed to work, but eventually the pump stopped making any bubbles at all.  Im going to ask Back to the Roots if theyll send me a new air pump.  I may also try using an aquarium air pump next to the fish tank to supply the bubbles for the air lift.  Either way, Im not happy with the system right now.  Im hoping that I can tinker with it and make it work better.  On the bright side, I regrew some green onions in one of the grow pots, and ate them in a tasty turkey soup (Thanksgiving leftovers!).

Edit 10 Jan 2014 - Back to the Roots is going to send me a replacement air pump.  They recommended placing it outside the system, sitting vertically next to the tank.  Theyre also sending me new seed packets, and suggested that for the basil and lettuce I may need more light.  Great customer service!

I apologize profusely for the vertical video.  :(

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Annies Project Greenhouse Management Class

Im currently taking a lecture series offered by Rutgers University as part of Annies Project, a project to educate women in farming (its open to guys too).  Its once a week in person for 3 hours (including a free dinner), and a 1-hour weekly webinar.  This years 6-week class is focused on greenhouse management, including creating a business plan, plant choice, pest control, etc.  The class is a great opportunity to network with other local growers and enthusiasts.  There are people in the class who have greenhouse facilities that they dont know how to take care of, others who dont have any property, but have a lot of knowledge or interest in farming, and others who are very experienced and already have a farm business.  Ive already met other doing urban farming, and aquaponic farming.  Some of the cool things Ive learned about from just the first class are AgPlan (a free Agricultural Business plan tool from the University of Minnesota), and performing SWOT analysis to consider your strengths and weaknesses.  This is a national organization, so check out Annies Project to see if they offer a program near you!





Heres a link to some archived class footage.

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