US (WI): Forest County Potawatomi Tribe expands with new aquaponics facility

Ceres Greenhouse Solutions has completed a second energy-efficient aquaponic greenhouse for the Forest County Potawatomi (FCP) tribe in Crandon, Wisconsin. The new 30′ x 78′ HighYield Kit greenhouse is an extension of the original Ceres-designed facility built in 2019, and it will significantly increase the tribe's production of fresh leafy greens and fish, furthering their mission of food sovereignty and year-round food security.

Built with light gauge steel framing, the greenhouse is engineered to handle the harsh winters of northern Wisconsin while maintaining a highly efficient and stable growing environment. In partnership with The Aquaponic Source™, the facility features double-decker deep water culture troughs and a recirculating aquaponics system designed to produce up to 75,000 heads of leafy greens and 800–1,000 pounds of fish annually.

© Ceres Greenhouse Solutions

The new facility is connected to the Bodwéwadmi Ktëgan Farm, an FCP-owned operation that includes a farm store, food processing and distribution center, and community classroom space. A portion of the greenhouse's output supports the Tribal Elder Food Box Program, an initiative that supplies culturally relevant, health-conscious foods to elders from 12 federally recognized tribes across Wisconsin.

"The Forest County Potawatomi reached out to us again as they had maxed out the production of their existing greenhouse and they needed to increase production. We took into account their need for year round growing through the rough northern Wisconsin winters, current site flow, as well as their production goals, and designed and integrated a greenhouse addition to suit their needs. We are very excited to help them continue to expand their farm, feed their community, and increase revenues for their farm operation." - Josh Holleb, Systems Integration Specialist at Ceres.

"This project showcases how thoughtful greenhouse design and strong partnerships can strengthen local food systems and support long-term food sovereignty for Indigenous communities." - Guilherme Moreira, Ceres Project Manager.