Marine science students at Tates Creek High School are raising
largemouth bass and growing vegetables without soil in a new
three-level aquaponics station, which recycles water in a
sustainable food-production model. In the simple setup, water
from the fish barrel trickles into the grow beds, which
routinely drain so the roots get some air and the plants aren’t
overly saturated. The water then is pumped back into the barrel
of bass. “Throughout generations, it’s been done. It’s the whole
idea of being sustainable and increasing your output with low
input,” said teacher Diana Mullins. “In this closed system, the
plants are taking less time to grow, so you’ve got a faster
turnaround. In six months, the fish will be about plate-size.”
The project is a collaboration with FoodChain, a local nonprofit
run by Becca Self. “The great thing is the fish and the plants
have a symbiotic relationship. The fish waste is used by the
plants as food, and they filter the water so it’s clean to go
back to the fish,” Self said. “