AQUAPONICS

Growing fish and vegetables W HEN it comes to future food production, the combined farming of fish and vegetables through aquaponics could be a viable solution. Researchers from Germany’s Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) have just published an extensive profitability analysis of a facility that already produces fish and vegetables on a large scale. Their results were no surprise to us, they suggested aquaponics may have both environmental and cost benefits if produced according to good agricultural practice and under suitable conditions. However they did suggest there were obstacles, so we asked our local Aquaponic expert Old Quarry Farm Aquaponics’ Bruce Reed, to comment. Bruce runs an aquaponics farm outside Newton Abbot home to a massive grow-house with six Aquaponic systems, supplying a farm shop, and local veg box scheme. With climate breakdown potentially making traditional outdoor growing problematic aquaponic production could provide a more suitable indoor solution to communities. The report said that “the main obstacles for commercial aquaponics are the high investment costs and, the high operating costs such as for fish feed, labour and energy.” They also state that: “undertakings must have the necessary expertise in both aquaculture and horticulture.” We asked Bruce whether those obstacles were a problem for him and his team. Bruce said: “Lighting? If you grow in a growhouse with seasonal crop choices the cost is zero for capital and running costs.” What about fish feed is that a high cost? Not according to Bruce, who added, it was: “A reasonable cost when compared to the hydroponic nutrient one would be buying for similar growing methods or for fertiliser for other growing methods. When one considers the fish food is needed to raise the fish (the selling them either as ornamental or for food - smoking them to add value) then the fertiliser is essentially free.” Did that mean it was a profitable way of farming? We asked Bruce: “If it is run as part of a diversified holding with tours and a mix of retail and wholesale then it can be profitable But the labour needs to be skilled not unskilled and this is what adds up.” So perhaps it would be handy to convert empty indoor spaces that may arise after this pandemic to urban hydroponics farms to feed communities. The lead author of the study, Goesta Baganz, sees great potential in the system, despite the risks. Citing the example of urban spaces, he stated: “The already profitable model case would cover an overall space of about 2,000 square metres. This would mean that professional aquaponics would also be possible in urban and peri-urban areas, where space is scarce and often relatively expensive. If, therefore, urban aquaponics can make a profit, there is even greater opportunity for local food production, which is becoming increasingly important throughout the world as urbanisation progresses.” The reports goes on to suggest ecofriendly, efficient aquaponic food production can combat current problems like climate change, population growth, urbanisation as well as overexploitation and pollution of natural resources, “A wide range of aquaponics approaches exist, many of which originated from amateur settings. The approach developed by IGB researchers is based on two recirculating systems in which fish and plants are produced in separate units. Smart software and sensors continuously take measurements and interconnect the two cycles, whenever needed, to make optimum use of synergies, whilst still creating the best growth conditions for both units.” Bruce thinks it’s still unlikely to become a mass production method. “It all depends how one sets up. In a warehouse with lighting and high rental costs etc in the middle of a city it would be very pricey, but you’ve also got a target of pricey restaurants etc to sell in to. In our situation there is no rent or lighting but we cannot command a high price.” Bruce added: “Honestly just trying to grow with no diversification I suspect they are spot on the money and we say as much to people that it has a niche for high value products but is not the answer to farming of the future.” l You can find the report here: tinyurl.com/y8zg2k8o and the Old Quarry Farm’s website is www. oldquarryfarm.co.uk

Converting to an e-bike WE are considering joining the latest craze that's being promoted by the government. That green(ish) form of transport to replace Shanks’ Pony the electric bike. We did consider getting an electric scooter, but the lockdown diet would suggest an e-bike may be more suitable. Then we looked at the cost, most would appear to be around the £12K mark! That is rather expensive for those of us who haven’t had a regular income in months. Plus what about the idea of recycling? So, we looked in the garage and found a rather rusty looking bike, and considered the idea of converting one. A quick search online revealed a complete Swytch kit for £450, that’s around a third the cost of an e-bike. Then we discovered Lynn and Bill at Newton Electric Bike Conversion in Newton Abbot. The couple promise to give you and your bike a new lease of life with a custom electric conversion from £650. Has any of our readers discovered a cheaper option to convert bikes so those Devon hills are not a problem for lockdown legs anymore?

Swan therapy ARTIST and craft maker Yuli Somme has created a new tutorial with her daughter on how to make a Felt Origami Swan. There are interviews within it from conservationists with their swan stories. For each kit sold, a donation will be made to Earthwatch, an environmental charity with science at its heart. The origami needle felting kit was designed by Yuli a few years ago as part of a Rights of Passage course on the theme of transformation. The swan appears in many ancient myths as the bringer of new life, symbolising transformation and the Cycle of Life. The kit is priced at £34. See bellacouche.com/ product/origami-feltswans-kit-needle-felting-kit for more information.

Mark Jefferys, Share Shed Manager and the Mobile Share Shed

Share shed continues to grow O NE of our favourite projects, the Share Shed - Totnes’ library of things, has been awarded a grant and a place on a learning programme to improve the local community. Mirella Ferraz, the Share Shed Coordinator, in Totnes, is one of 71 leaders across England selected for a competitive learning programme and a grant of up to £10,000. The Community Business Trade Up Programme is run by the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE), in partnership with Power to Change. The programme supports people improving their local communities through trade. The programme will help to grow the Share Shed, which offers over 350 everyday/useful items for people to borrow at a low cost, helping many people to get things done, whilst saving money and resources. Mirella Ferraz has just started a nine-month learning programme at the SSE, which helps people develop the skills, strengths and networks they need to tackle society’s biggest problems. Mirella said: “I am delighted to have been accepted onto the Community Business Trade Up Programme, run by the School for Social Entrepreneurs, in partnership with Power to Change. The programme and grant of up to £10,000 will help the Share Shed grow, so we can support more people in Devon as we’re about to launch the world’s first mobile library of things, extending our services to Ashburton, South Brent and Buckfastleigh.” Amber Sorrell, programme manager at the School for Social Entrepreneurs, says: “We are thrilled to welcome Mirella onto the programme, where they’ll learn alongside other community leaders how to create lasting social impact for the region.” Mirella adds: “We’re thankful for this opportunity as it’ll help us extend our services beyond Totnes, and support even further a more sustainable and collaborative lifestyle.” l To see everything the library of things offers and for more information, visit www.shareshed.org.uk. For any enquiries, contact info@shareshed.org. uk. l Find out more about the programme and register your interest for the 2020/21 programme at www.the-sse.org/courses/community-business/