Growing Industries Aquaculture & Aquaponic Economic Development

Dr. Chris Hartleb University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Northern Aquaculture Demonstration Facility Aquaponic Innovation Center

Rebecca Nelson and John Pade Nelson and Pade, Inc.®

Montello, Wis

Ron Johnson and Jim Held University of Wisconsin-Extension

Aquaculture

• Aquaculture is the science and industry of fish farming.

• Benefits: • Most efficient production of protein • Conservative uses of resources, water, space and

labor • Sustainability & consistency • Economic engine

Aquaculture Business Incubator

• Leveraged funding: U.S. Department of Commerce – Workforce Education & Training for Environmentally &

Economically Sustainable Great Lakes Aquaculture ($291,000) • Short courses for industry

– Nine in 2014-15 • Over 211 training events in aquaculture/aquaponics • Internships for future industry innovators • Expanded aquaculture minor at UW-Stevens Point

Aquaculture Economic Development Success • Rules & regulations listening sessions • Wisconsin Walleye Initiative • Private fish farm capacity study (DNR, DATCP, DIOA, WEDC) • Lake sturgeon options for private industry • New businesses: 25 • Retained businesses: 8 • Eleven workshops with >900 attendees • Community outreach with >1,200 participants at 8 major events

Aquaponics

• Aquaponics is an integrated, soilless system for raising fish and plants.

• Benefits: • Sustainable and natural • Highly efficient • Conservative uses of resources, water, space and

labor • Free of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers • Produces both a protein and a vegetable crop from

one integrated system • Continuous production of food 365 days per year

Aquaponics as a Commercial Industry

Status - • Small but rapidly growing industry –

experiencing exponential growth. • Driven by:

• Food security & Food quality • Community demand for locally grown • Limited fresh water and land

Industry Needs - • Industry and student demand for further education

in aquaponics.

• Employment opportunities

• Currently have

• Investors looking to establish large commercial ventures.

• Students looking for information on how to pursue a career in aquaponics.

• Further research in crop diversity and system efficiency

Achievements of This Public-Private Partnership

– Educate the workforce • Offer university aquaponics courses

– Enrolled >133 students in three years; generating 328 credit hours • Offer professional aquaponic certificate program

– Approved by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs • Partnered in 3-day Aquaponic Master classes

– 1,000+ students from 66 countries; 15% purchased, constructed, or launched new aquaponic business

• Established International Aquaponics Society – Create new jobs in innovative, sustainable food production – Conduct innovative research & commercialize results

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Nelson and Pade, Inc.®

Aquaponics Innovation Center • Funded as part of the UW-System Economic Development Incentive Grant

UWSP-Aquaponics Innovation Center

Nelson and Pade, Inc.® Demonstration Greenhouse

Aquaponics Innovation Center

Meeting the Needs of an Industry • Educational opportunities • Economic incubator for an industry • Catalyst for economic growth • Commercialize discoveries • New business innovation • Economic development in blue-green industry

Results

• Growing an Industry – Partnership – Education – Research – Innovation