How They Set Up Their Aquaponics Greenhouse

How They Set Up Their Aquaponics Greenhouse BUILDINGS Miscellaneous Aquaponics has allowed Richard and Jackie Tyler to run a successful commercial “mom and pop” farm provide opportunities to other local farmers and have enough food to share with a local food pantry Providing for the food pantry has been Richard Tyler’s passion especially after 17 000 people lost jobs in the Vian Okla area in 2013 Food pantry clients increased to 780 families a month After Tyler had his own financial challenges he decided growing food in a greenhouse could meet both the needs of the food pantry and also help him make a living After much research and consultation the Tylers opened NOAH Native Oklahoma Aquaponic Harvest in August The nearly 10 000-ft greenhouse includes a 1 700-ft store Each week they produce 2 000 heads of lettuce about 200 lbs of other vegetables and many pints of strawberries In addition up to 300 tilapia are sold each month The fish are key to success of the operation Tyler says “I didn’t want to go with straight hydroponics because mixing chemicals and testing the water constantly requires a lot of skill With aquaponics once you get the system balanced it sort of runs on autopilot ” The tilapia provide fertilizer for the growing plants which filter the water the fish live in Tyler worked with Nelson and Pade Inc an aquaponics company that has been in business since 1985 The company’s standard operating procedures and data helped the Tylers to secure an FSA loan to build what was the first commercial aquaponics greenhouse in Oklahoma Staff from Nelson and Pade helped develop the automated setup and Tyler attended the company’s Aquaponics Master Class® He also carefully researched greenhouses and has been pleased with Conley’s Greenhouse Mfg out of California “It’s real efficient and allows us to keep the temperature at 78 degrees for $600 to $650/month ” he says The Tylers sell produce and tilapia wholesale and to consumers They donate 30 percent of the food to the food pantry and started a cooperative with small farmers There has also been interest from people who want to set up their own commercial aquaponics operation and Tyler offers a 2-hr tour with business planning information for $75 “It’s the best mom-and-pop business we have found It’s not backbreaking and is a lifestyle we enjoy We can make a decent living and help build a community of healthy food ” he says Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Richard Tyler NOAH Farm 451702 Hwy 100 Vian Okla 74962 ph 918 773-8389; www noahfarmok com; noahfarmok@gmail com

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