US (FL): Fresh Ministries battles poverty using aquaponics
And Fresh Ministries staff will have further honed its ability to help churches and nonprofits worldwide build aquaponics farms as sources of fresh fish and produce and employment.
Founded in 1989, Fresh Ministries works to eradicate poverty in inner-city Jacksonville and worldwide through financial literacy, life skills, job preparation, business incubation and other programs. Current programs include the Beaver Street Enterprise Center, a core-city business incubator; the LifePoint Career Institute, which provides job training and placement for unemployed adults; and Fresh Futures and Fresh Path, which help at-risk youth gain life skills and job placement.
Staff regularly test the water — both in the fish tanks and the beds — to make sure it has the proper nutrient levels for the respective populations to grow, said Bobby Lee, director of aquaponics.
The fish, mostly Nile perch and cherry snappers and pearls, are fed a specially formulated vegetarian fish food. The tanks even have underwater “man caves” for the males to get alone time with the females, he said.
“We keep them as happy as possible,” said Lee, the son of the founder.
Within the next six months, the nonprofit expects to open a customer window at the greenhouse and begin retail sales. Proceeds will go back into Fresh Ministries programs.
Meanwhile, the nonprofit is already at work spreading the aquaponics concept beyond Jacksonville.
Read more at jacksonville.com
