US (TX): EPCC showcases aquaponics greenhouse

On Tuesday, El Paso Community College held a ceremony to showcase a new laboratory -- but it isn't a science lab, it's a self sustaining aquaponics lab that is maintained by EPCC's culinary program.

It's a concept some say is fairly unknown in far West Texas. Instructors say El Paso's future chefs will have an upper hand in organic, eco-friendly, self-sustaining farming practices.

"It's not just about making food it's about showing students where the food comes from," said EPCC culinary instructor Jesus Lugo.

The Green Advantage aquaponics greenhouse was paid for by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture and the University of Texas at El Paso with a cost of $220,000.

The food served at the ceremony was made with herbs grown in the aquaponics green house and although it's still in the beginning stages Lugo is already thinking of future possibilities.

"Once we get the vegetables going we want to have a farmers market and students can prepare food and show them what we can do with the food we are growing," Lugo said.

Read more at kvia.com